Saturday’s clash with LOSC Lille at the London Stadium brings the curtain down on West Ham United’s pre-season preparations. Then, the tough decisions will really begin for Graham Potter.
Has Potter seen enough from the likes of Luis Guilherme, Freddie Potts and Callum Marshall to suggest that the trio can contribute sufficiently at Premier League level?
Will Nayef Aguerd be reintegrated after Real Sociedad decided against signing the Morocco international and after links with a whole host of clubs – from Roma to Bayer Leverkusen, Marseille to next weekend’s opponents Sunderland – come to nothing?
Aguerd could be spotted at Rush Green on Friday, the number five vacated by Vladimir Coufal adorning his training top. Callum Wilson was there too, wearing his new number nine shirt while training alongside fellow summer signings Kyle Walker-Peters and El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Another notable face amongst West Ham United’s senior squad, meanwhile, was that of Preston Fearon.
Preston Fearon stays with Graham Potter’s West Ham United first-team after USA tour
Like the aforementioned trio – Luis Guilherme and Freddie Potts excelled against Everton during that 2-1 comeback win in Chicago, while Callum Marshall has been dubbed ‘Jamie Vardy 2.0’ by an impressed fanbase – Preston Fearon also seized his chance to impress across the Atlantic.
Still only 18, and the youngest of the teenagers who featured during the Premier League Summer Series campaign, captain Jarrod Bowen feels West Ham have a ‘special’ talent in the 2025 Dylan Tombides Award winner.
Graham Potter appears to agree.
Because, in pictures provided by the Hammers’ official website, Fearon was spotted being put through his paces alongside the likes of Tomas Soucek, James Ward-Prowse, Lucas Paqueta and a revitalised Niclas Fullkrug.
Fearon featured only once as West Ham picked up six points from a possible nine in the Premier League Summer Series, playing the final ten minutes of that Bruno Fernandes-inspired defeat to Manchester United in New Jersey.
Yet, while the coming season could prove to be a breakout year in claret and blue for Potts, Guilherme and co, Hammers fans can expect to see a few more Fearon cameos on Potter’s watch.
“It was really special,” Fearon said after making his unofficial debut for the senior side against Man United. “It was a big moment for me and my family. Not long ago I was injured, missed out on a few games for the 18s and the 21s. Just two months ago, I didn’t think anything like this would happen.
“Before I went on, people before the game told me I deserved to be here, keeping my confidence high. One of the coaches before I went on said, just keep your poise, be you. I just had that in my head.
“I wanted the ball. I always wanted the ball, no matter what level I’m playing at, training or anything. I just went on and it’s just me.”
Mark Noble lauds Fearon as former Chelsea starlet talks up Hammers progress
That confidence and quality in possession will do Fearon’s reputation no harm at all in the eyes of an impressed coaching staff. Especially considering that any midfielder in a Graham Potter team must be able to receive the ball under pressure and make intelligent, quick-minded decisions in possession.
“I haven’t been here at West Ham that long. Three or four years, compared to other people my age. But as soon as I came here I knew West Ham was going to be a great club for me,” adds the former Chelsea starlet, coming off the back of six assists across eighteen Under-18 Premier League appearances.
“My Dad said it straight away; I look so much more confident than when I was at Chelsea, my last club. The environment and everything just suited me.
Legendary captain and now sporting director Mark Noble highlighted Preston Fearon as one of the successes of West Ham’s pre-season tour, meanwhile.
“It’s great to see the young boys here with us,” Noble said earlier this week.
“Preston Fearon has come on. Airidas Golambeckis has been here the whole time. And Freddie Potts, Kaelan Casey, Lewis Orford and Oli Scarles, they’re all here.
“So that’s fantastic to see them out here.”
Should Fearon feature against Lille, this will be his debut appearance as a first-teamer at the London Stadium.
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