Portsmouth ‘can sign another West Ham gem’ to replace Freddie Potts
Portsmouth have confirmed their survival in the Championship for another year, but they will need to have a productive summer window.
John Mousinho has led Pompey to safety in their first season in the second division in over a decade, and they will now hope to push on from there.
Portsmouth had a lower budget than most of the teams around them in the Championship, but have secured survival with weeks to go.
One of their most impressive performers has been Freddie Potts, and Portsmouth could now try to repeat the transfer masterclass which saw him move to Fratton Park.
Pompey can replace Potts with Lewis Orford
Portsmouth struck gold when they signed Potts on loan from West Ham last summer.
Potts has excelled at Fratton Park, making 35 Championship appearances this season and providing four assists from deep midfield.
| Stat (Championship 24/25) | Freddie Potts |
| Appearances | 35 |
| Goal involvements | 5 |
| Chances created | 32 |
| Successful dribbles | 23 |
| Tackles won | 36 |
The 21-year-old has performed so well that West Ham may aim to include him in their first-team squad next season, much to Portsmouth’s detriment.
However, they have another central midfield talent in Lewis Orford, who could be sent out on loan, and Pompey could now target him to replace Potts.
Potts’ Pompey success could lead to future West Ham loans
Given how well Potts performed at Portsmouth under Mousinho, West Ham may now see Fratton Park as the ideal destination to loan their best young talents.
Potts has clearly enjoyed his time at Portsmouth, and a return cannot yet be ruled out, but even if they cannot re-sign him, there are other talents in East London they may be given priority access to as the relationship between the two clubs thrives.
Orford has been outstanding in the Premier League 2 this season, recording three goals and seven assists from midfield in 17 league appearances, and could be ready to be Portsmouth’s next loan star.
The 19-year-old is younger and less experienced than Potts was when he arrived at Pompey, but a Championship loan could be the next step in Orford’s development, and Mousinho may be seen as the best coach for him.