West Ham midfielder Freddie Potts played the last 20 minutes of the 2-1 friendly defeat to Manchester United at the weekend.
The 21-year-old came on for Guido Rodriguez and he caught the eye with some of his ball-carrying and passes.
It is believed that the Hammers are looking to reinforce the midfield before the transfer window closes, but fans on X think Potts may have what it takes to start for the first team, with some even comparing him to former captain Declan Rice:
I say put him in with Sousek and Paqueta
— Las Vegas West Ham (@WestHaminVegas) July 27, 2025
Upgrade of Declan
— Richard Didsbury (@RCDidles) July 27, 2025
Stretching it a bit…. hope to see lots of the lad this coming season
— Glennyboy (@GlenWorrell) July 27, 2025
Would love to see him get an opportunity in the first team ⚒
— mark hendy ⚒🫧 (@mhendy1971) July 27, 2025
Baller
— Lee Bennett (@sidd3rz92) July 28, 2025
I would love young Potts to be massive. It's a family thing ⚒️
— Robert Parry (@RParry1966x) July 27, 2025
The Rice comparisons are somewhat premature
While there are some similarities with the Arsenal midfielder, it’s probably a bit too early to be drawing any parallels between the two.
Potts has only made 3 competitive appearances for West Ham, all of which have come in Europe. He has never played in the Premier League.
He did impress during his spell on loan with Championship side Portsmouth last campaign, but Pompey had to battle relegation for the majority of the season.
Who could West Ham sign to strengthen the midfield?
Chelsea’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been mentioned as a potential option, although he is also attracting interest from Fulham.
Liverpool pair Tyler Morton and Harvey Elliott are also on the club’s radar, along with the likes of Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Juventus’s Douglas Luiz.
In other news, West Ham have joined Liverpool and Tottenham in the race for an Italian starlet
