Graham Potter has praised Lewis Orford after the West Ham teenager was called up to train with England’s senior team during the international break.
Orford worked with Thomas Tuchel’s squad last week as they prepared for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, with former West Ham captain Declan Rice acting as a mentor for the young midfielder.
The 19-year-old is viewed as a player with a first-team future at West Ham, and Potter says they will be assessing his progress on loan at League One side Stevenage this term.
“He's a talented young player. I think he needed men's football. He needed that challenge of senior football, and now he's got the opportunity on loan,” said the West Ham boss.
“I think that's a good move for him. We'll obviously keep an eye on him. I think it's that next stage of his development.
“It's important for the academy (players) to have that senior football, so I'm pleased for him.”
Third-tier Stevenage represent Orford’s first taste of senior football, and Potter has been careful to curb expectations.
“Clearly, I think he's on loan at Stevenage. So, with the greatest respect, it's still a jump from there into the Premier League,” he added.
Potter, however, said the hope was that Orford could follow in the footsteps of fellow academy players George Earthy and Freddie Potts, who impressed on loan at Bristol City and Portsmouth, respectively, last year before being promoted to the first team this season.
“Exactly (we hope Orford follows Earthy and Potts),” he said. “I think it depends how he goes.
“But that's the whole point of the loan system. To get that exposure, to get that experience, and then to take the next step.”
A lifelong West Ham supporter, Orford made his Premier League debut at home to Crystal Palace last season in Potter’s second game in charge.
Nominated for the 2024/25 Premier League 2 Player of the Season award, he then spent pre-season with the first team, travelling to Germany and the United States for the Premier League Summer Series.
A technically astute central midfielder, Orford will see less time on the ball at Stevenage, who, despite flying high in League One, average the third lowest possession in the division.
It’s a loan geared to take Orford out of his comfort zone and introduce him to the physicality of senior football, all with the expectation of giving him a shot in the first team next season.
Potter has put an emphasis on promoting youth since arriving at the club in January, and by offering a pathway to Potts and Earthy, Orford now knows that first-team opportunities are there for the taking if he can make the step from academy to senior football.
