'Gut feeling' - verdict delivered on Conor Chaplin Portsmouth return following Ipswich Town release
Conor Chaplin’s availability this summer will prove tempting for a lot of clubs, but there’s doubts whether Pompey will among those looking to sign the free agent
Conor Chaplin is unlikely to turn his Pompey loan stay into a permanent arrangement this summer.
That’s the honest verdict of The News’ Jordan Cross, who believes the Blues will reluctantly head in a different direction during the close season and look elsewhere for much-needed reinforcements following their latest Championship campaign.
Chaplin will find himself a free agent at the end of next month after it was announced he’ll be leaving parent club Ipswich Town upon the expiry of his current Portman Road deal.
The 29-year-old spent five years on the payroll at the Tractor Boys and featured for the club in the Premier League after helping them to back-to-back promotions.
Yet his final year at Town was spent on loan at Pompey, with the former Fratton favourite returning to the club on the final day of the 2025 summer transfer window.
His arrival was hailed as a huge coup for the Blues, with the forward heading back to PO4 with 55 goals from 174 appearances for Kieran McKenna’s side.
Despite making 37 appearances for Pompey, though, Chaplin was unable to produce the levels expected of him at Fratton Park.
Just two goals and three assists were registered as Pompey’s struggles in front of goal were laid bare. Although, it was the diminutive attacker’s late deflected effort that helped John Mousinho’s side grab a dramatic late winner at Middlesbrough on April 11, a win that went a long way towards the P04 side securing Championship safety.
Back in October, Chaplin himself described his form at the Blues as ‘bang average’.
And it appears his struggles to reach the levels expected of him might tempt Pompey to look for potentially cheaper alternatives, with Chaplin no doubt on a handsome wage during his time at Fratton Park.
The chances of Conor Chaplin returning to Pompey
Chaplin’s availability is likely to alert a host of clubs.
There are also sections of the Fratton fanbase who believe another return for the 29-year-old is a must.
However, Cross loathes to admit that is unlikely at this moment in time.
Speaking on the latest episode of Pompey Talk, The News man said: ‘Most people are like, yeah, get him in, have him around the place. It's not gone well this season, but he's so popular, he’d be great in the dressing room.
‘He’d be brilliant in the dressing room. But he's been on a very good contract at Ipswich Town. He's not going to, in reality, get that now, I dare say, wherever he ends up moving forward.
‘So, as much as it's a, yeah, I'd love to see (him back at Fratton Park), you know, Conor's a friend, I know what qualities he offers, I just wonder if (if it’s likely to happen).
‘I think probably likely not at the moment.
‘You never know where things could turn. We've been there in the past where players don't fit the profile of where Pompey are going, and then as other doors close, other realities of budgets kick in, and these doors come open again.
‘It could happen with Conor. But my gut feeling at the moment, and I’d dearly, dearly love him back at Pompey, is just probably Pompey might turn somewhere else.’