Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Sun 5 April 2026 8:10, UK

West Ham United midfielder Freddie Potts is running out of time to win over Nuno Espirito Santo.

The 22-year-old made his first-team breakthrough this campaign, starting 12 games in the Premier League to date, but has looked well out of depth on numerous occasions.

He was dragged off at half-time during the 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa before the international break, leaving his future at the London Stadium under the current boss in the balance.

Nuno has been quick to hand Potts chances, but he hasn’t always taken them. With the Hammers staring down the barrel of the drop, they desperately need some consistency.

However, West Ham next take on Leeds United in the FA Cup quarter-finals, and with a spot at Wembley on the line, the youngster could be thrust into the firing line to prove himself.

Will Freddie Potts start for West Ham vs Leeds?

At one stage, Potts was compared to Declan Rice and was tipped to become a future club captain. However, he has not quite lived up to his lofty potential in E20.

While he has plenty of time to develop, and will surely benefit from the wisdom of dressing room veterans, playing him in the thick of a relegation dogfight is too much of a risk.

The fact that he has lost possession an average of 6.8 times per game raises major question marks, but it hasn’t been all doom and gloom for the talented academy graduate.

He has completed nearly 84 per cent of his passes in the Premier League this season, suggesting he still brings quality on the ball that could come in handy against Leeds.

Nuno will be reluctant to reshuffle his side for the sake of it, but he is likely to make at least a couple of changes. That could still see Potts keep his place in the starting XI.

Leeds prefer to keep games compact in midfield, and the Hammers could look to match them with a three-man pivot made up of Potts, Tomas Soucek and Mateus Fernandes.

If Potts does play, he must seize his opportunity with both hands.

What’s next for Potts at West Ham?

What lies ahead for the starlet very much depends on his own performances.

If he can win Nuno back over, he is likely to stay in the first-team in East London beyond the summer. On the other hand, he could be shipped out if his inconsistency continues.

The club need to make sales at the end of the campaign, and in light of Potts’ young age and nationality, David Sullivan could view him as an easy way to generate pure profit.

Clearly, then, the remaining matches this season are an audition for his West Ham future.