Freddie Potts: The boyhood West Ham fan ‘who has what it takes to be captain

Local TV Sport

Freddie Potts’ rise at West Ham is a story steeped in family legacy and hard work. From the moment he first pulled on a Marshalls Park Academy shirt in Romford, his talent was clear.   PE teacher Paul Aylett remembers an 11-year-old Potts leaving everyone in awe, volleying a ball into the top corner from 20 yards and scoring a hat-trick in his first game.

Transcript

00:00Freddie Potts' rise at West Ham is a story steeped in family legacy and hard work.

00:06From the moment he first pulled on a Marshalls Park Academy shirt in Romford, his talent was clear.

00:13PE teacher Paul Eilert remembers an 11-year-old Potts leaving everyone in awe,

00:17following a ball into the top corner from 20 yards and scoring a hat-trick in his first game.

00:23I've been waiting for a player like him for over 20 years, Eilert said.

00:27That early promise into the trajectory that was to come.

00:32Potts' pedigree runs deep. He joined West Ham's academy at six, following the footsteps of his father,

00:37club legend Steve Potts and older brother Dan, a former academy graduate.

00:42His technical ability of football intelligence stood out early,

00:45earning him a professional contract at 17 and a first-team debut in the Europa League

00:50against Dynamo Zagreb in December 2021.

00:53A year into his scholarship, Potts had already impressed coaches enough to train with the

00:58under-23s, showing maturity beyond his years.

01:02Loan spells have been crucial to his development.

01:05At Wickham Wunderers, Potts made 43 appearances, scoring twice and providing three assists,

01:11and was named Player of the Year.

01:14The subsequent loan at Portsmouth saw him register a goal and four assists across 38 games,

01:19helping the club retain championship status.

01:22His experiences honed his leadership, consistency and attacking instincts.

01:28Under Nuno, Potts has now broken into West Ham's first team.

01:32His full Premier League debut came in a 3-1 victory over Newcastle,

01:36where he earned man of the match, before keeping his place against Burnley.

01:42Coaches praise his composure, ability to drive forward and knack for striking from distance.

01:46Traits reminiscence of Declan Rice, but distinctly his own.

01:51His journey has been defined by determination and intelligence,

01:54from a standout schoolboy to a reliable Premier League performer.

01:58He embodies the club's values and legacy.

02:01With his family roots, professional contracts and burgeoning influence,

02:05Freddie Potts is on course to become not just a first-team regular,

02:09but a potential future captain and West Ham legend.

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