With the evident need to inject youth into midfield, Graham Potter is taking a closer look at both Freddie Potts and Preston Royston Fearon during pre-season. George Earthy’s unfortunate ankle injury has sidelined him just at the wrong time: Hopefully he will still have a chance to impress before the Premier League squad is set in stone.
The trio can, indeed, be the solution to West Ham’s “slow and stodgy’ much criticised midfield. At just 18 years old Fearon is rapidly gaining recognition as one of West Ham United’s brightest emerging talents.
Much has already been discussed about Freddie Potts who impressed on a season long loan at Portsmouth last season, yet less is known about Fearon.
Yesterday’s C and H article touched on Fearon’s arrival- I’ve been taking a more in-depth look at the young man’s development and career path to date.
After captaining the youth team to Premier League Cup glory and earning the prestigious Dylan Tombides Award for outstanding Academy performances the young midfielder was rewarded with his senior debut in the pre-season clash against Manchester United – an experience he described as “really special”.
Fearon’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. Released by Chelsea and sidelined by a back injury during the 2023/24 season, he rebounded with determination and flair. His resilience and work ethic have earned him a place in West Ham’s first-team training sessions and pre-season tour.
West Ham coaches have praised his dedication during injury recovery and training, noting his continuous improvement.
Academy Manager Kenny Brown jnr and former West Ham defender had a-lot of praise for the starlet, previously saying “He’s a talented footballer and we saw that from day one. What I really admire is that he matches his technical ability with a strong work ethic. He’s a big talent, and I look forward to how far we can take him!”
Maybe the ‘real-deal wonderkid’.
West Ham’s midfield is in transition, with uncertainty surrounding senior players like Lucas Paquetá, and growing doubts about the compatibility of Soucek, Ward Prowse and Rodriguez playing together, this will hopefully open the door for Fearon to earn more minutes, especially in cup competitions and late-game substitutions.
His ability to play box-to-box or as a deep-lying playmaker will give Graham Potter options in midfield setups.
Fearon has expressed hunger for more first-team opportunities. With the right mentorship and strategic integration, he could potentially become a long-term asset for West Ham.
Represented by Unique Sports Group and Will Salthouse – the player recognises that he will have an opportunity to impress at West Ham. If Potter plays his cards right, Fearon might just be the spark that reignites West Ham’s midfield engine.
The boy could I emphasis could be a good addition in the near future. Only the outstanding players can make the transition to premiership football and shine at a young age. Look at the all our so called youngers in recent times who have played for the first team who were the best thing since sliced bread who have left to better their careers. All have flopped. Diagana who everyone was up in arms about for one Lewis Oxford the list is endless
Interesting how many other fans also think that Potter will not use the youngsters in Premier League games.
What makes me agree is the fact that WH wasted so much money on Ferguson’s loan on Potter’s request.
Yet the young man was made to feel that he was not at the level Potter was expecting. Yet in his first game for his new club, he scored 4goals.so yes, here’s hoping and praying Potter does the right thing with these youngsters !
Nice to hear that potter is open to giving our academy players chances to prove themselves we have so many gifted youngsters that it would be foolish to not give them their chance at first team football if nothing else they will be able to get around the pitch a lot quicker than what we have in those midfield positions now with a decent experienced midfielder that is not glued to the spot and able to to guide them through games it could well be the answer to the problems in midfield
He won’t start a game for us nor will Potts. How many more chances the doddering slow midfielders receive should be zero. Two managers have fallen on their swords by doing so and against a young dynamic Sunderland no with added experience in Xhaka we’ll be destroyed