Pompey are in need of reinforcing as they head into the Championship next season.
Their decision to part ways with six first-team squad members at the end of last term made sure of that. Although, the need to strengthen their lot naturally is a requirement as the Blues make the step up to the second tier of English football.
There’s been plenty of transfer speculation doing the rounds ever since John Mousinho’s Blues lifted the League One title. But as is always the case, some of the rumours will prove wholly incorrect, while others will stand up to closer inspection.
Neverthless, at this moment in time, there’s nothing in terms of actual signings as the Fratton Park club wait until the transfer window officially opens next week before revealing anything they’ve been working on.
Understandably, work is going on behind the scenes as sporting director Rich Hughes looks to fill the gaps in the Pompey squad. But what exactly are the Blues’ priorities this summer and who should be coming under their radar?
Well, we’ve enlisted the help of PFSA Level 2 technical scout & performance analyst, plus social media influencer and Pompey fan, @SonStats to find out. Here’s his recommendations for the 11 roles the Blues need to fill before the transfer window closes at 11pm on August 30.
5. Peter Kioso - Rotherham
Position: Starting right-back. Verdict: Peter Kioso is a player who could absolutely shine in the Championship for the Blues. Composed on the ball when playing under pressure, he's capable of one-touch passes to break the press, has the vision to pick out runners from distance, can dribble past opposition players and is able to use his weaker left foot as well. He had a 71.5% success rate for accurate forward passes across the 2023/24 season. Kioso's physical attributes means he’s capable of tracking fast wingers, which will be a huge benefit in the Championship. He could work on anticipating quicker in defensive situations, along with his rather low standard of crossing, but these are all coachable issues. He is generally decent when it comes to duels with a 64.21% success rate for defensive duels & 50.8% in aerial duels. The main thing though is his character. During his loan stint at Peterborough last season, the 24-year-old captained the side in the majority of their matches. Having those leadership capabilities at a young age is not to be taken for granted and will prove to be very valuable in moments of adversity. Estimated cost: £450k - £650k | Getty Images
6. Charlie Cresswell - Leeds United
Position: Rotational centre-back Verdict: Having not had as much game time as he would’ve liked, Leeds could look to send the centre-back out on loan again. The 21-year old spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Millwall, so has Championship experience in abundance. This could be a useful signing if the club are looking at a loan for this position. Estimated cost: Loan. | Getty Images
7. Brendan Wiredu - Fleetwood
Position: Rotational centre-back Verdict: Although he was part of a relegated Fleetwood side, Brendan Wiredu is a player who could be a valuable player for years to come. What stands out about him is his ball-carrying ability - a necessity for all of John Mousinho’s centre-backs. He’s able to bring the ball out of defence & travel long distances. He's another defender who is comfortable with the ball when under pressure. He can also use his strength and agility to outmuscle and turn away from opposition players. The 6" 3" defender's calm presence will also spread confidence to the rest of the defensive unit. And this is without even mentioning his versatility, where he can play across the back three in possession as well as in midfield. It may take him some time to get used to playing a more possession-based system. That being said, Pompey will most likely see less of the ball in the Championship in comparison to last season. Estimated cost: £325k - £450K | Getty Images
8. Luke Chambers - Liverpool
Position: Rotational/back-up left-back. Verdict: Able to play as a left centre-back as well as left-back, Chambers offers versatility along with a wide range of attributes - including a strong passing accuracy. He's a strong ball-carrier and is physically capable of getting high up the pitch while being able to get back & defend. The former Wigan loanee can also invert into either defence or midfield, which would help maximise his passing & ball progressing strengths. His standard of crossing could do with improvement (23.33% accuracy across the 2023/24 season). Equally, he should be encouraged to increase his volume of progressive runs from an average of 1.22 per 90 minutes. From a defensive point of view, he’s able to hold his own in 1v1 situations with acceleration and pace. His concentration and positioning could do with improving as he can often get caught out giving his opposition winger a two-yard head start. However, it's important to point out that Chambers doesn’t turn 20 until next month, so he still has a lot of time to develop these attributes. Signing Chambers on loan allows Pompey to assess the left-back situation next summer while also having a player who has the potential to grow a lot over the course of a full season. Estimated cost: Loan. | Getty Images