Young West Ham star Freddie Potts only signed a new contract 10 days ago but already his future looks uncertain.
They say good things come to those who wait.
But patience is becoming a rare virtue in modern game as has been evidenced by West Ham losing a host of rising young stars in recent years.
The latest of those being striker Divin Mubama, who snubbed a new Hammers deal after growing unhappy at a lack of first team game time – only to sign for Man City.
When Graham Potter arrived at West Ham in January, he declared he would be looking to use players from club’s famed Academy before making signings.
It was music to the ears of everyone involved in West Ham’s youth system and most fans too.
Potter vowed to look to West Ham Academy first
But the Premier League is the best and most competitive football competition in the world.
So if players are to step up to the first team they simply must be good enough – and ready.
After a torrid 19 months of performances and results, West Ham need to drastically improve in order to get back to competing for Europe.
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Whoever makes up the Hammers team next season will be under pressure to perform and get results.
Midfield has been a major issue at West Ham for some time and Potter is reportedly set to overhaul it this summer.
When Academy central midfielder Freddie Potts signed a new four-year deal at the end of last month, many believed it was a sign Potter believes he can be part of that midfield rebuild.
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Hammers supporters were delighted at the announcement but demanded answers over what Potter’s plan for Potts would be.
Well now they may have them.
Young West Ham star Potts has made a shock demand as Potter delivers a blunt response.
In the wake of signing his new contract at West Ham and being backed to be part of the first team by sporting director Mark Noble, Potts has made some rather unusual comments.
Potts has told The News that he has developed ‘true feelings’ for Portsmouth.
He then went on to suggest he is very open to returning to Portsmouth next season.
Potts makes shock West Ham demand
Not least because he is demanding to be a starter wherever he is playing next term, whether that is West Ham or elsewhere.
“Coming back (to Portsmouth) next year is not my decision to make, that’s obviously down to West Ham and I’m going to give it my all at West Ham during pre-season, giving it my best chance,” Potts said.
“Wherever I’ll be next season I want to be playing football, I want to be starting, like I have been this year, that’s why I have enjoyed it so much this season with Pompey.
“Will I return? I can never say never, Pompey’s a massive club and it’s going in the right direction. Any player that comes here should be there for the pride and love their time here because it really is a great club.”
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
That is some demand from the midfielder, who turns 22 at the start of next season. He clearly feels he is good enough.
The comments were put to Potter this week. And they received a pretty blunt response.
The Hammers boss offered absolutely no guarantees Potts will be kept on as part of the first team.
In fact Potter said he will assess Potts in pre-season before making any decisions and won’t offer any guarantees beyond that.
Potter delivers surprising response to Potts
“Freddie has had a couple of really good loans, successful loans, which I think is important for a player, at Wycombe and now at Portsmouth,” Potter said when asked about his plans for Potts.
“It’s really important to have that accumulation of games, those minutes.
“We do a great job in terms of the Academy and development and have good programme internally, but sometimes you need to go out and play as well and he’s done that and he’s had the benefit of that.
“So we’re looking forward to him finishing the season off strong and then coming back and being part of our group in pre-season.”
This will have fans wondering whether the new deal was an attempt from West Ham to ensure they get a decent fee for Potts when selling him.
After all with PSR biting hard this summer, the sale of Academy products represents 100 per cent profit in the club’s accounts.
Or perhaps West Ham plan on replicating Chelsea, who farm players out on loan for fees before ultimately selling him on for that maximum profit.
We’ll find out in pre-season.