Freddie Potts forced his way into the West Ham United first-team squad this season, making his Premier League debut in August and racking up 21 appearances under Graham Potter and Nuno Espirito Santo.
But whether or not he can stay there long-term – the first-team squad, that is – is the challenge now facing the Barking-born midfielder.
Potts has come in for criticism from some quarters on the back of recent outings. Particularly during an FA Cup meeting with Burton Albion cut short by a straight red card, and a poor 45 minutes at Villa Park in March.
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Freddie Potts of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
While the West Ham United faithful are obviously keen to support ‘one of their own’, goodwill tends to go out the window when their Premier League status is on the line and performances are not up to top-flight standards.
Freddie Potts has just about the perfect mentor, however, in father Steve.
Steve Potts ‘really proud’ of Freddie’s West Ham United emergence
An academy graduate himself, Steve Potts played over 400 games for the Hammers between 1985 and 2002.
Now part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s coaching staff, Potts Senior is keen to see Potts Junior continue his legacy while acknowledging that the 22-year-old son a long way to go before he bridges the gap from ‘homegrown talent’ to ‘Premier League-level midfield player’.
Freddie Potts during West Ham United v Aston Villa - Premier League
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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“As a family, we’re really proud,” begins Steve, who also saw Freddie’s older brother Dan Potts play five games for the Hammers from 2011 to 2013.
“It’s been great to see Dan and Freddie do what they’ve always dreamed of doing – playing for West Ham United. It didn’t come easy to either of them and, just like any son of any former player, there’s been added pressure on them to earn their chance to wear the shirt.
“Alongside every player in the first-team, though, the hard part comes with proving you’re good enough to hold onto it. That’s the really tough bit.”
Potts enthused by Ezra Mayers and Ollie Scarles development
Freddie Potts impressed under Nuno during those successive victories over Newcastle and Burnley in November, playing as an aggressive, all-action number eight.
More recent outings, such as the 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa, saw Potts fielded in a deep-lying role which made far less use of his energy, tenacity and his penchant for short, probing passes.
The problem is, Mateus Fernandes has one of the advanced midfield roles under lock and key. Furthermore, Tomas Soucek’s experience has made the veteran invaluable during a run of 18 points from a possible 33.
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“Having coached in the Academy with the current crop, it’s been rewarding to also see other dedicated youngsters like Ollie Scarles, Lewis Orford and Ezra Mayers – plus those out on loan – getting to where they’ve always wanted to be,” adds Potts, who was part of the side which beat Metz in the 1999 Intertoto Cup.
“It’s satisfying to see Academy boys handed debuts but I always tell them that’s been the easy part. Now, they’ve got to work even harder to remain in Nuno’s thoughts.
“Hammers fans love getting behind their own players and there’s a real clamour to see home-grown kids coming through but the spotlight’s so much greater these days. Every game’s televised and there are all the social media distractions that come with being a Premier League footballer, too.
“Everything’s good when you’re doing well but when it isn’t going too great, the big question becomes: ‘Can you handle it now? Can you tough things out?’”
Left-footers Scarles and Mayers have made 18 Premier League appearances between them this season. Talented playmaker Lewis Orford trained with Nuno’s seniors during the international break, meanwhile, and is likely to spend next term out on loan a la Freddie Potts at Portsmouth in 2024/25.
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