West Ham drop major hint they’ve found Declan Rice replacement as legend’s son starts in first game without ex-captain

WEST HAM may have already found Declan Rice’s replacement in the form of youngster Freddie Potts.

The midfielder started in West Ham’s pre-season friendly win over Tottenham in Perth, Australia.

Freddie Potts, 19, lined up in holding midfield – the position vacated by Declan Rice following his £105million move to Arsenal.

He is the son of Hammers legend Steve Potts and brother of Dan Potts, of newly-promoted Luton.

And he appears to be highly rated by the club after recently signing a new three-year contract.

Potts joined West Ham aged six and made his first-team debut in December 2021 as a substitute in the 1-0 loss against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.

He has made three senior appearances in total after playing twice in the Europa Conference League last season – a competition the Irons won.

Potts now has his sights set on nailing down a regular spot in the squad after putting pen to paper.

He said: “It’s a really good feeling to sign a new three-year contract. It’s another positive step forward for me in my career.

“I’ve been working towards this for a while and feel my performances for the 21s last season and being in and around the first team have helped me get to this point.

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“I’m just really excited to see how it all pans out for me over the coming years.”

West Ham have also identified Joao Palhinha as a replacement for Rice but had a £40million bid rejected by Fulham this week.

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