Potter Must Show Courage This Summer by Selling England International – or Risk Being Seen as a Yes-Man.

Graham Potter is set to oversee a major squad overhaul at West Ham during the summer transfer window, and it’s a much-needed move.

The Hammers currently have the oldest squad in the Premier League, and nearly every department at the London Stadium requires reinforcements.

While Potter has already made some minor improvements, particularly in defense, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Even David Moyes recently acknowledged how much harder West Ham are to break down now.

However, despite those defensive gains, Potter must make some tough decisions this summer if he wants to prove he’s the right man to take the club forward.

The question remains: Is he ruthless enough, or is he simply a yes-man?

Is Potter Too Soft?

Potter has developed a reputation as being too nice, and that was reportedly one of the reasons Chelsea let him go (The Times).

This raises concerns about whether he can make the tough calls required at West Ham.

One worrying sign is that we never see him getting visibly angry with his players or confronting referees over poor decisions.

There’s a sense that he might be too much of an easy touch.

To be clear, Potter’s tactical approach is impressive, and once his system is fully implemented, West Ham should play some fantastic football.

However, accountability is crucial, and he needs to demand more from his squad.

The best way for Potter to assert his authority and send a strong message this summer would be to offload a popular player. That player should be James Ward-Prowse.

Why West Ham Must Sell Ward-Prowse

This is not to say that Ward-Prowse is a bad player—far from it. He’s a solid, reliable midfielder.

However, at 30 years old, he does not provide what West Ham desperately need in central midfield.

Potter has publicly praised Ward-Prowse’s performances, which is concerning.

The Hammers are in dire need of pace, power, and athleticism in midfield—qualities the former Southampton captain simply does not possess.

If West Ham are to evolve under Potter, the midfield must be rebuilt with dynamic, ball-carrying players who can bring energy to the team.

Ward-Prowse, despite his technical ability, does not fit that mold.

Potter must show his ruthless side and make the difficult decision to sell Ward-Prowse as soon as the summer transfer window opens.

It would be a defining moment that signals the start of a true rebuild at West Ham.