Ryan Fredericks could come up against former club Tottenham Hotspur when they take on West Ham United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Ryan Fredericks has told West Ham’s official website that he would probably not be a Premier League footballer today if it was not for the coaches that he worked with at Tottenham – but insisted that he has no allegiances to Spurs now.
Fredericks spent around six years on Tottenham’s books, making four appearances for the first-team before joining Bristol City on a permanent basis in 2015.
After a very brief stint at Ashton Gate, he joined Fulham in the same window and went on to help the Cottagers secure promotion out of the Championship last season. The play-off final proved to be his final appearance for the club as he joined the Hammers on a free transfer.
And on Wednesday, the right-back could line up against his old side in the Carabao Cup at the London Stadium. Ahead of the game, Fredericks outlined just how important Spurs have been for his career.
“They converted me from an out-and-out winger into an attacking full-back, which is probably how I’ve made it to the highest level.
“I think if I had stayed as a winger, the way I was playing back in the day, I don’t think I’d have made it to the Premier League, so I owe a lot to that club.
“But obviously I’m a West Ham player now and my affiliations with them are long gone.”
It has not been the easiest start to life with West Ham for Fredericks. He has not featured in Manuel Pellegrini’s side since September, with his most recent Premier League appearance coming in the 1-0 home defeat to Wolves.
Pablo Zabaleta has been impressive for the Irons lately, but Fredericks has a golden opportunity to stake a claim to his manager with a good performance against his former club that perhaps helps West Ham book their place in the quarter-final of the competition.
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