The comments Mads Hermansen made during his official unveiling as a West Ham United player will have been music to the ears of not only Graham Potter but the Premier League club’s fanbase too.
You do not need a UEFA A-licence to work out what the man in charge at the London Stadium ideally looks for in a goalkeeper.
Graham Potter likes his number one to be the first line of attack as well as the last line of defence. As a possession-based coach who made his name at Swansea City and Brighton and Hove Albion for patient, passing football, a goalkeeper who can distribute as well as pull off eye-catching saves is obviously very welcome indeed.
So, enter Mads Hermansen.
Hammers News‘ chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey revealed recently that Hermansen became West Ham’s primary target because of the ‘footwork’ which enabled the 24-year-old to stand out from a number of alternative options.
Now, speaking to West Ham United’s official website, an £18 million addition from Leicester City highlighted the qualities which make him particularly well-suited to Potter’s system.
Mads Hermansen during Leicester City v ACF Fiorentina - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Mads Hermansen explains why he suits Graham Potter’s West Ham United perfectly
But fear not, Hammers fans.
Hermansen may be a goalkeeper who prides himself upon his ability to bypass a press and spark attacks, but he is also someone who appreciates the true fundamentals of the role.
Julen Lopetegui found out the hard way, back in a dismal December night, that the ex-Brondby glovesman is not someone cut from the same cloth as, say, Andre Onana. Mads Hermansen inspired Leicester’s 3-1 win over West Ham with no fewer than ten saves in a virtuoso display then-Foxes boss Ruud van Nistelrooy described as ‘unbelievable’.
"I felt a long time ago that West Ham and me could be a good match"
A sit down with our Danish shot-stopper 🎙️
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 10, 2025
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“First of all, I love to keep the ball out of the net,” Hermansen says nine months on, painting a self-portrait of a very complete goalkeeper.
“But apart from that, I like to participate in the build-up play. And I think I’m quite good at creating relationships between me and the defenders, so we always have good communication and feel trust in each other.
“So, I would love to come in and give that to the team as well.”
West Ham’s lead first-team goalkeeping coach Casper Ankergren described Hermansen as an ‘amazing’ talent during their final few weeks together at Brondby in 2023.
Unsurprisingly, player and coach renewed acquaintances long before Leicester accepted that £18 million bid on Thursday. Ankergren informed Hermansen of what Potter will demand of him, and clearly Kasper Schmeichel’s heir apparent for the Danish national team liked what he heard.
“I haven’t spoken to [Potter] yet, but I’ve spoken to Ankergren, and I’ve been filled in on what the head coach expects from me,” Hermansen adds.
“I worked a few years with him at Brondby, and I think we share the way we think about goalkeeping, and we share the way we see football, so there’s a good match there. I can’t wait to keep developing with him.
“I think always being brave. I like to be brave on the pitch and come with good energy and help the team in the best way I can.”
Graham Potter during the Premier League Summer Series AFC Bournemouth vs West Ham United
Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hermansen ‘can’t wait’ with West Ham facing Sunderland in Premier League opener
While Callum Wilson inherits Michail Antonio’s number nine shirt, Hermansen gets the number one jersey vacated by another long-serving Hammer in Lukasz Fabianski.
Alphonse Areola performed penalty shoot-out heroics against Lille over the weekend – the club’s final pre-season fixture – but Hermansen may be expected to start in the Frenchman’s place during Saturday’s Premier League curtain-raiser against Sunderland.
“I’m very happy, I’m very proud to be here, and I can’t wait to get started,” Hermansen adds. “I felt a long time ago that West Ham and I could be a good match. I can definitely see myself playing in the way the team wants to, so it felt natural all the way, so West Ham was a pretty easy choice.
“I think I’ve found a way to always progress and always develop and take all the right steps at the right time, and definitely my move here to West Ham is a great step in my career.
“Ever since my time at Brondby as a young player, I’ve been very focused on how I could become the best player I can be. And that’s obviously what I will try to continue doing here.
“Obviously, the Premier League is special to be in. I had a year last year, obviously a bit difficult with Leicester, but I can’t wait to play and stay in the Premier League.”