By Jarrod Bowen’s own admission, even the West Ham United captain has been left red-faced now and again when squaring up to Preston Fearon on the training pitch.
With his trademark janelinha party piece, one suspects the silky 18-year-old would find a way to nutmeg a mermaid, let alone an unsuspecting first-teamer left for dead at Rush Green.
Preston Fearon impressed against Manchester United off the bench in Chicago. The teenager’s first-ever appearance for the West Ham United first-team, albeit coming in a pre-season friendly on the other side of the Atlantic.
Captain Jarrod Bowen, the man who halved the Red Devils’ deficit with a fine run and finish just after half-time, was not exactly surprised to see Fearon take to senior football like the proverbial duck to water.
In fact, the only thing that did leave Bowen a little taken aback was that Fearon did not find the time, in just ten minutes or so on the pitch, to flick the ball through the legs of one of Ruben Amorim’s charges.
Jarrod Bowen says West Ham United have a ‘special player’ in Preston Fearon
Speaking to the official West Ham website, Bowen admits he knows how it feels to go eyeball-to-eyeball with Preston Fearon before coming off worse.
”He’s a special player,” the skipper smiles. “I’m surprised he didn’t nutmeg anyone [in a Manchester United shirt], because I’ve never seen someone nutmeg so many people in training.
“He’s done it to me a couple of times as well!
“I’ll let him off, because he’s a special player, and a really good person as well. He’s really grounded, and he really wants to work hard. I’m so glad he got his opportunity tonight, because he deserved it. I’m proud of him and so happy for him, and I know there’ll be many more to come.”
Preston Fearon joined West Ham from Chelsea back in 2021, following in the footsteps of a certain Declan Rice half a decade prior.
True to his word, Graham Potter is handing Freddie Potts the chance to work his way into the manager’s plans as well.
Back at the Hammers following a fine loan spell with Portsmouth, Potts hopes to emulate the success of Ollie Scarles under the former Stamford Bridge boss. Another impressive cameo against Man United was a step in the right direction, certainly, for a hard-working, industrious midfielder who likens his style of play to that of Edson Alvarez.
“Freddie and Preston, in particular, you could see the quality they bring, what type of players they are,” Potter said after Bruno Fernandes twice beat Alphonse Areola at the iconic MetLife Stadium.
“So that’s exciting for us.”
Fearon reflects on ‘special’ West Ham debut under Graham Potter
Pre-season always offers young players the chance to make their mark, and this summer is no different at West Ham.
Potter watched 17-year-old Ezra Mayers train alongside Bowen and co earlier this month. Kaelan Casey and Lewis Orford are considered first-teamers now, too, while Callum Marshall wrote his name into the headlines with a superb solo goal in the 3-1 victory over Swiss outfit Grasshopper Zurich.
As for Fearon, more minutes could come his way against Everton and Bournemouth in the remainder of the Premier League Summer Series.
“It was really special,” Fearon said after making his unofficial debut for the senior side. “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.
“And to face Manchester United, a big club, with my family supporting Man United, it was really special. I can’t believe it.
“Before I went on, people before the game told me I deserved to be here, keeping my confidence high,” the teenager adds. “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.
“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. 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.
“Two years later I was captain and just playing at my best. Every game I just felt like I was getting better and better. I was getting awarded for the stuff I was doing on the pitch and off the pitch.
“I was injured, working hard and all the coaches saw that. They saw how much work I was putting in. It just kept getting better and better. It’s been amazing really.”
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