Pompey wasted no time in starting their preparations for life in the Championship.
Just days after the final game of the season at Lincoln came the publication of the Blues’ retained list, which confirmed 10 Fratton Park exits.
Two more could follow suit as fans wait on news on the futures of Joe Morrell and Zak Swanson, both of whom had options on their contracts turned down but remain in contract talks with the club.
Those departures mean there are some important gaps to fill in the Pompey squad ahead of their return to the second tier of English football. It also guarantees a busy summer transfer window for sporting director Rich Highes.
But are we totally done with Fratton Park exits following the release of the retained list? Or could there be more player departures on the cards as the Blues look to ensure they have the most competitive squad possible for their Championship challenge.
Here, we take a look at who could potentially follow Sean Raggett, Joe Rafferty, Lee Evans & Co through the Fratton Park exit door before the summer is out, either on loan or on permanent deals.
5. Ben Stevenson
The midfielder arrived at Pompey on a free transfer from Forest Green Rovers last summer to provide depth to the Blues’ ranks as a promotion bid was plotted. That was the clear aim as the 27-year-old featured six times in various cup competitions for John Mousinho’s side. But he was never able to nail down serious minutes in the league and put pressure on those higher up the pecking order - despite Pompey’s injury woes in that particular department. A knee injury in January, of course, prevented Stevenson from playing his part over the second half of the season. And when he was arrowing in on a return in the final weeks of the season, options were aplenty in the form of Owen Moxon, Lee Evans, Tino Anjorin and Myles Peart-Harris. | National World
6. Ben Stevenson (continued)
Having found it difficult to get game time in League One, that scenario is unlikely to change next season when the Blues are in the Championship. The only issue is, will Pompey get takers for a player who missed the past six months with a knee ligament issue and had limited game time in 2023-24? Plus, will Stevenson want to leave and sign for a less-established club with a year remaining on his contract? | National World
7. Terry Devlin
The Northern Irishman made a good impact at Fratton Park during his maiden season in English football, having been plucked from Irish League side Glentoran last summer. tIndeed, the midfielder will have probably made more than the 25 appearances he ended up with if it had not been for the unfortunate shoulder injury he picked up against Oxford back on January 30. John Mousinho’s willingness to throw Devlin straight in shows he has plenty of faith in the 20-year-old, who can also operate at right-back. But in order to continue his upward trajectory, the player might need a development loan next season to ensure he’s getting the game time that’s required to facilitate his growth. However, that type of decision might not be made until late in the window and after Mousinho assesses his troops following their returns for pre-season. | National World
8. Gavin Whyte
A so-called marquee signing last summer, Whyte frustratingly failed to show why the Fratton Park red carpet was rolled out for him following his Cardiff release. Three assists and no goals in the league was not what many expected, with the likes of loanee Abu Kamara and Paddy Lane - players of far lesser experience - proving better equipped to provide the Blues with the attacking prowess they needed. Impressive cameo appearances from the bench against Derby and Peterborough as Pompey closed in on the League One title was a nice reminder that Whyte can produce the goods. | National World