West Ham manager Graham Potter has some big decisions to make ahead of next season.
Several promising youngsters are set to return from loan for pre-season training this summer, with club insiders pledging that everyone will get their chance to impress.
Callum Marshall has been banging in goals for fun at Huddersfield, George Earthy has finally found form at Bristol City, and Freddie Potts has earned himself a new contract following an excellent loan spell at Portsmouth.
Add in Kaelan Casey, Lewis Orford and Ollie Scarles, and it quickly becomes clear that not all of them will make the full West Ham squad next season.
The likes of Scarles and Potts are expected to feature in the main group, but Orford and Casey would almost certainly benefit more from regular game time—possibly through another loan spell.
The future of Marshall is more complicated. Now a full Northern Ireland international, he can’t really afford to spend next season warming the bench, and any decision on his role will need careful consideration.
Then there’s the awkward situation involving Luis Guilherme. The £20 million Brazilian was signed with high hopes but appears to be unfancied by Potter—just as he was by Julen Lopetegui before him.
Ordinarily, a young prospect could be sent out on loan, but Guilherme’s price tag and potential mean the club likely can’t afford to send him to a Championship side for a minimal fee. In his case, it may come down to a simple ‘use him or lose him’ scenario after a tough first season in England.
Either way, Potter’s pledge to give youth a chance will be tested thoroughly next season—with some very tough calls ahead.
