Ahead of West Ham United vs Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, Nuno Espirito Santo was once again asked about the impact made by Freddie Potts at the London Stadium.
The homegrown talent-turned-midfield general has been a topic of frequent discussion throughout the campaign.
When Graham Potter was in charge, he was asked week after week why Freddie Potts, despite an impressive pre-season, was still stuck behind James Ward-Prowse, Guido Rodriguez and co in the pecking order.
Now, with Potts expected to start a fourth successive Premier League match when Liverpool come to town, Nuno Espirito Santo also finds himself commenting every few days on the Barking-born 22-year-old, and his transformative influence on what was previously a position of real concern.
Potter never seemed willing to entrust Freddie Potts with the keys to his midfield machine. The same cannot be said of his West Ham United successor.
Potts and Mateus Fernandes have been a revelation together in the middle of the park. With Arne Slot’s fallen champions heading to the capital looking to arrest a run of nine defeats in 12 matches, the energetic Englishman and the prancing Portuguese playmaker will be among the first names on Nuno’s team sheet.
But, speaking during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, Nuno accepts that he will have to make full use of his squad during a gruelling festive fixture schedule.
Whether this means a recall for the likes of Ward-Prowse or Rodriguez, not to mention Potts’ fellow youngsters Callum Marshall and George Earthy, time will tell.
George Earthy and Callum Marshall could get a West Ham United chance soon
Nuno immediately banished James Ward-Prowse from the squad after taking over in September. The former Southampton captain became the posterboy for the Potter-era malaise, and he has not featured even once under the new boss.
Nuno handed Callum Marshall a Premier League debut against Arsenal nearly two months ago, meanwhile. Following another goal for Greg Lincoln’s Under-21 side in midweek, the Northern Ireland international seems ripe for another first-team call-up, especially with West Ham’s depth likely to come under serious scrutiny.
“Not only Freddie, but I think other players are improving. This is our objective; to improve players. Some will play and help the team. Some will come in from the bench,” Nuno says.
“All the players will be needed, even if they are not [currently] in the squad. Looking ahead at the amount of games we are going to have, all the players are going to be involved.
“[Potts] is just an example of what we want from the players. He came in, made an impact, and we hope he continues.”
Marshall was left out of the matchday roster for each of the last three matches. He is, though, a regular at Rush Green these days. Fellow rising star Airidas Golambeckis was called up against Burnley, while Mohamadou Kante, Ezra Mayers and Finlay Herrick can be spotted training with the seniors.
George Earthy could follow in Freddie Potts’ footsteps, too, once he is back to full fitness. According to The Standard, Nuno is wary of risking another injury setback for a midfielder who won Bristol City’s Young Player of the Year award during a successful loan spell last term.
Earthy is making light work of West Ham’s opposition at reserve level, though. He got a further 85 minutes under his belt during the 3-0 victory over Truro City on Thursday, scoring a sublime solo goal in the process.
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Nuno Espirito Santo warns West Ham to be wary of Liverpool
Few would have imagined, as recently as two months ago, that West Ham would host Liverpool having picked up more points in three matches [seven] than Slot’s have across their last six Premier League outings [three].
Liverpool’s weaknesses should play into Nuno’s hands, too. Issues with quick counters and a problem unlocking deep-blocks should give the Hammers hope of extending their visitors’ worst run of form in 71 years.
Not that Nuno is daring to take the threat of a wounded Liverpool beast lightly.
“I think both of those things [Liverpool’s form and West Ham’s recent resurgence] do not mean anything. The consistency of the results, the form of the teams doesn’t really matter,” he says.
“It is a new game. It’s up to us to try and play well, knowing that we are going to face a very good team that has players capable of doing fantastic things. We have to get ready and go and try and compete.”
Crysencio Summerville and Lucas Paqueta should return
West Ham could have Crysencio Summerville back after he was kept out of that Bournemouth draw last week. Konstantinos Mavropanos is likely to undergo a late fitness test on Saturday, while Lucas Paqueta is in contention as he returns from a one-match suspension.
“I don’t make major analysis of our opponents; it’s [about] how we can compete. What we have against us is a very good football team.
“Looking back at recent years, every team has this kind of moment, and then they react. I am only focused on West Ham, our players, and how we can compete and play the opponents. Let them find their own solutions. No matter who starts, we are going to face a tough opponent.
“What I notice is the improvement of [our] players. I think they are getting better each day. Every training session is important for us, then comes the game.
“We expect the players to do better day by day. We are focused on individual performances, their impact on the team, and how we can become a team that is compact and competes very well.”
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