Portsmouth exit sealed: Midfielder says ‘massive’ goodbye, sends Mousinho message
Portsmouth will bid farewell to a wealth of players after securing their place in the Championship for another season.
One of the key ingredients to their success was the form of Freddie Potts, who spent the season on loan at Fratton Park from West Ham United.
With Potts set to return to the Premier League outfit, he has shared an emotional parting message with the South Coast faithful.
Potts goes big with parting Portsmouth message
If it were not for the form of Potts, Pompey may well be playing in League One next season.
Of course, the South Coast club’s success has been a team effort, but the 21-year-old has been a lynchpin in John Mousinho’s side.
Potts made 37 appearances in the Championship this season, notching over 3,000 minutes for the Fratton Park club.
| Freddie Potts’ 2024/25 Championship statistics with Portsmouth | Total |
| Appearances | 37 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Touches | 48.3 |
| Accurate passes | 26.5 (78%) |
| Total duels won | 6.2 (61%) |
With the midfielder eyeing a place in West Ham’s Premier League squad next season, he will still support Portsmouth from afar.
When speaking to the Portsmouth website, Potts was full of admiration for the South Coast club as well as his colleagues.
He said: “The gaffer, Jon and Zesh have helped me massively, and it’s such a high-quality coaching staff here. They’ve made me become a better player.
“We’ve got a great group, and it’s such a positive environment around the training ground. I wanted to absorb as much as I can from guys like Matt Ritchie and Isaac Hayden.
“The message from the bottom of my heart to the fans is just a massive ‘thank you’ because they stuck with us and gave me – and the team – so much support.”
Portsmouth must utilise the loan market again next season
The loan market is an integral part of the Football League, and if used effectively, it can be the difference between safety and relegation.
Pompey utilised the loan market successfully this campaign, with Isaac Hayden, Adil Aouchiche, and Potts all making an impact.
Of course, the flip side of loan deals is that those players return to their parent clubs and usually don’t return.
However, Portsmouth must note what happened with Potts and target a similar profile player next season.
The Championship provides the perfect stage for young Premier League talent, and who wouldn’t want to play at Fratton Park?
Mousinho has demonstrated that he is willing to give youth a chance, meaning Pompey can provide a meaningful avenue to first-team football.
If the South Coast side can replicate the deals they have done this season, then they are on to a winner.