Graham Potter and ‘excited’ Jarrod Bowen drop George Earthy hint as West Ham chance looms.
Jarrod Bowen and Graham Potter made their returns to Rush Green this week. And, as West Ham United step up their plans for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, pre-season offers a chance for youngsters and fringe players to stake their claim.
Something that has both the Hammers captain and their head coach looking forward to a summer of experimentation and opportunity.
West Ham United kick-start their summer preparations by taking on Swiss outfit Grasshoppers on July 19th. They will face Premier League rivals Manchester United, Everton and AFC Bournemouth, too, before closing out pre-season against French giants Lille.
Now, Graham Potter has told George Earthy that a chance will come over the next few weeks. Earthy was named Bristol City’s Young Player of the Year while helping The Robins reach the play-offs during a loan spell in the Championship.
The standout success story amongst the loan legion, but far from the only youngster returning with his confidence sky-high.
Patrick Kelly helped Doncaster win League Two, striker Callum Marshall was an award-winner at Huddersfield Town, and goalkeeper Mason Terry returns after keeping 17 clean sheets at non-league outfit Hornchurch.
So both Bowen and Potter, speaking to the club’s official website, are understandably excited to take a closer look at West Ham’s next generation.
Jarrod Bowen celebrates during Ipswich Town FC v West Ham United FC – Premier League
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Edson Alvarez was the only notable absentee when pre-season training kicked off on Monday.
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The former Ajax ace will be rewarded with an extended summer break after Alvarez captained Mexico to CONCACAF Gold Cup glory. Crysencio Summerville could be spotted stepping up his recovery post-injury, Mohammed Kudus was at Rush Green too despite ongoing talks with Tottenham Hotspur, and Lucas Paqueta was back in the building as well.
Bowen, though, cannot wait to see how far the likes of Earthy have come during last ten months or so away from West Ham.
“A lot of positive thoughts. We’re definitely excited because we’ve got some younger guys coming back from loans who did really well last year at different clubs that they had,” the skipper smiles. “Seeing them integrated into the group will be brilliant.
“There’s definitely excitement for the season ahead. The head coach has got a full pre-season to work with us, and we have some really good fixtures coming up.”
Graham Potter plans to hand Earthy a chance after Bristol City brilliance
Teenage left-back Ollie Scarles caught Graham Potter’s eye on the training pitch initially, going on to end the 2024/25 campaign with 15 Premier League appearances and a Young Hammer of the Year gong.
Lewis Orford and Kaelan Casey are next in line for a first-team spot, it seems. There should be a role for Earthy too, especially if Paqueta and/or Kudus say their goodbyes.
George Earthy celebrates during West Ham United v Luton Town – Premier League
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
“We’ve had the entire squad report back on Monday [apart from Alvarez], which is a big positive and means that we can get some really good work in together from the word go,” Potter says.
“We’ve also had a few players come back into the group after being out on loan last season, plus some new faces on the staff, so it’s been nice to welcome them and hear about their experiences, and generally just catch up with everyone as a group.
“We have a lot of hard work ahead of us in the coming weeks, but we’re really looking forward to the challenge, and really excited about the new season.
“It’s been great to see everyone back at Rush Green after the break. The players and staff have come back refreshed, energised and ready to work hard, and there has been a really good mood around the place.
“The first day of pre-season training always brings a positive feeling of enthusiasm and new beginnings. A fresh start, a chance to work from a clean slate and set the right standard from day one.”
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