Many West Ham United fans were disappointed to see Freddie Potts depart the club over the summer. He is now set to play for Club Brugge against Aston Villa in the Champions League.
Potts came through the ranks at West Ham and enjoyed loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth. The 22-year-old only made 28 appearances for the Hammers' first team.
He had a connection with the Hammers fans as he is the son of club legend Steve Potts. His father is now Nuno Espírito Santo's first-team coach. The Potts family is a big West Ham family, as Daniel Potts, who is Freddie's older brother, also played for West Ham. After leaving the Hammers, Potts penned an emotional letter to West Ham supporters.
The Hammers enjoyed success with Potts starting last season, with back-to-back wins over Newcastle United and Burnley. However, results soon fell away, and the Hammers ended up being relegated. Potts was sent off in a victory against Burton Albion in the FA Cup, which meant that he missed three Premier League games. He was then not involved in West Ham's final four league games of the season.
Potts had starred for Pompey in the Championship, which would have made him an asset to the Hammers for this season in the division. However, Brugge did buy him for £10 million, which is a good fee for the homegrown player.
Freddie Potts has switched the Championship for the Champions League
Losing Potts and the likes of James Ward-Prowse has left the Hammers light on midfield options. Tomas Soucek is also injured, and it remains to be seen whether Edson Alvarez and Soungoutou Magassa will be reintegrated into the side after failing to secure moves away from the Hammers during the transfer window.
Replacing Potts and Ward-Prowse have been Arne Engels from Celtic and Divine Musaka, who has returned to the club on loan from Manchester City. Both Engels and Musaka have starred for the Hammers in recent victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Derby County.
Whilst the Hammers will be about to play Bolton Wanderers in the Championship, Potts' Brugge will be playing Aston Villa in a Champions League tie that kicks off at 5:45 pm (BST) today. The midfielder is expected to play after starting all five of Brugge's Jupiler Pro League games this season.
Brugge has so far won four and lost just once in the league so far this season. Their defeat was against KAA Gent, whom West Ham beat on the way to winning the Europa Conference League back in 2023. Potts was on the bench for the second leg of that tie at the London Stadium, where the Hammers won 4-1.
Potts made two Conference League appearances for West Ham and played once in the Europa League. Tonight he could make his Champions League debut, which is an impressive feat for the Hammers academy graduate.
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