Portsmouth boss delivers attacking transfer admission ahead of window opening.
The transfer window opens on June 1, and Pompey manager John Mousinho has identified a key area where his playing budget will need to be focused.
John Mousinho admitted that Pompey will need to strengthen their entire front line this summer.
The Blues manager has acknowledged the need for attacking surgery, with the transfer window only 11 days away from opening.
It’s shaping up to be another busy summer of business, though Pompey don’t expect as many signings as previous summers under sporting director Rich Hughes.
Last year, 15 new faces came through the door, with 14 more expected in the summer of 2023, as squads were assembled to compete in the Championship and then remain there.
Mousinho has acknowledged the importance of focussing on the forward line in the coming weeks and months, as players depart in that area – and others may follow.
Loanees Adil Aouchiche and Kaide Gordon have returned to their parent clubs, Sunderland and Liverpool, respectively.
Christian Saydee is under contract for the next season, but has been told that he can leave to find regular minutes, which are unlikely to be available in the future.
Paddy Lane needs to make a’massive impact’ next season to prove himself in the Championship, while Mousinho suggests Matt Ritchie may have a reduced role as he turns 36 in September.
Pompey’s Matt Ritchie
Beyond that, in the positions behind the striker in the 4-2-3-1 widely used by the head coach, there’s Harvey Blair, who’s still learning the ropes after joining from Liverpool for £300,000 last summer.
Callum Lang and Josh Murphy are the two most established players, with Lang scoring 10 goals despite missing three months of the season with a hamstring injury. Murphy, of course, was one of the Championship season’s biggest success stories, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists.
Pompey should strengthen ‘across the board’ in the transfer window.
Mousinho understands that a significant portion of Pompey’s playing budget next season must be directed towards that area.
He stated: “We need to strengthen across the board there.” We’ve lost Adil, who returned his loan, and Kaide as well.
‘So that will open up some space across the front line, so there is some flexibility.’
Mousinho has already indicated that Pompey will need to focus on adding a new striker before the window closes on September 1.
Kusini Yengi was released following a season in which one of League One’s title winners failed to adapt to the demands of the Championship in an injury-plagued campaign.
Brighton’s Mark O’Mahony has returned to his parent club after a season at Fratton Park. Dane Elias Sorensen left in January after bolstering the striker department following Colby Bishop’s heart surgery.
Bishop will remain the first choice after making an impressive return in November, while Australian prospect Thomas Waddingham is regarded as a potential candidate for inclusion at Pompey next season.
Read more on sportupdates.co.uk
Leave a Reply