Freddie Potts

Potts | I’m ready to play a key role in the new season

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Freddie Potts insists he has enjoyed the best pre-season campaign of his career so far, as he looks to establish himself as a key player for West Ham United during 2025/26.

The 21-year-old Academy of Football graduate earned his stripes during productive loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth in EFL League One and the Championship over the last two seasons, and he has been duly rewarded with regular minutes back in Claret and Blue throughout this summer.

Having played the second half of the 3-1 win over Grasshopper Club Zürich and come off the bench in the narrow defeat against Manchester United in New Jersey, Potts has started each of the victories over Everton in Chicago, AFC Bournemouth in Atlanta and LOSC Lille at London Stadium.

After the penalty shootout victory over Ligue 1 Lille ensured a positive finish to the close season on Saturday, our No32 took time to reflect on the considered progress he has made in a relatively short space of time, while stressing he can’t wait to prove himself on the biggest stage in the weeks and months ahead.

It’s probably been the most special pre-season I've had in terms of the opportunities I've been given and the playing time I've had
Freddie Potts

“It’s probably been the most special pre-season I've had in terms of the opportunities I've been given and the playing time I've had,” Potts said. “It’s been my dream since I was a kid to be part of the West Ham first team, and to be around this squad is obviously something I've wanted my whole life.

“It’s not going to be a period I forget for sure, but I want to keep learning and looking forward. As a team, I think we’re feeling good, and winning can only help that, like we’ve done today.

“There have been a lot of positives in terms of performances and results this pre-season, and we’ve come through another good test against Lille. They played in the Champions League last year, but we’ve got there on penalties, and that can only be good for me and the team.”

While he is hoping to make his first appearance in the Premier League away at Sunderland next weekend, Potts can’t wait to take his game to new heights by playing alongside and against some of the game’s best players throughout the upcoming season.

Freddie Potts

Besides international stars such as Lucas Paquetá, James Ward-Prowse and Tomáš Souček within West Ham's midfield ranks, the Barking native explained how mixing with captain Jarrod Bowen is opening his eyes to new things every day in training.

Potts added: “I’ve loved being a part of it in pre-season, but there’s obviously still a lot I can learn. The main thing for me is to keep learning off the players who have played at the highest level, and I’m really enjoying that at the moment.

“I’m really enjoying the test of stepping up. I’ll always back myself, no matter what team I go into, but playing with some of the guys here isn’t something you can take lightly. I really want to prove myself and be a part of it for the whole of this season.

“He’s (Bowen) a great role model to have, and a great example for anyone my age. To have someone like him to learn from on and off the pitch is great, and it’s a joy to share a pitch with him.”

 

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