‘I know he can run games’: Portsmouth boss’ backing for £2m midfielder amid early Championship challenges
The £2m capture from Fredrikstad FK has shown mixed Pompey form so far, but John Mousinho is confident over what he can achieve in the Championship.
Rocco Shein has been backed to dominate games in the Championship as he acclimatises to English football.
But John Mousinho expects there to be ‘ups and downs’ along the way for the £2m man, as he adapts to the demands of the second tier.
Mousinho on Shein: ‘I know Rocco can dominate and run games’
And the Pompey boss is adamant Shein possesses the attributes to thrive amid the physical challenges he will encounter this season.
The Estonian international is now six competitive games into his Fratton stay, following his high-profile summer capture from Fredrikstad FK.
Shein was outstanding on the opening day at West Ham in the Carabao Cup, but hasn’t been able to reach those highs in the Championship so far.
The 23-year-old has been withdrawn early in four of his five league games so far, with Mousinho taking the ball-playing midfielder off at the interval against Bristol City at the end of last month.
The Pompey boss acknowledged there’s been some difficult moments for Shein so far, as he comes to term with the requirements of English football
But Mousinho sees a player who can hit the lofty ambitions he and his club have for the former Dordrecht man in the Championship.
Mousinho said: ‘Rocco’s had a pretty solid start to his time at the football club.
‘Bristol City was a baptism of fire for him, but I’m backing Rocco to be as brilliant as we think he can be.
‘I just think there’s going to be some ups and downs along the way for a player who’s so young and is also coming over from a very, very different league.
‘There’s a big part of Rocco’s out-of-possession game we need to work on.
‘He’s very, very good on the ball but I think he does have enough bite and determination when he’s defending to really compete at the level.
‘I just think it’s getting that consistency and some of the things he may have been able to get away with previously, you can’t do that in the Championship.
‘That’s the thing Rocco is physical, I just think we need to get him doing it more consistently.
‘It’s a bit of both (sides of the game), in possession as well there’s loads of room for improvement.
‘I know Rocco can dominate games and can run games.
‘I’m sure he will do that once he settles down. All these experiences will set him in a really good place.’