'Another busy summer' - Portsmouth squad overhaul on cards after Championship status confirmed
Focus is quickly turning to recruitment following confirmation that Pompey will be playing in the Championship next season
Another busy summer of recruitment is anticipated at Pompey following confirmation that they’ll be playing their football in the Championship once again next season.
According to The News’ Jordan Cross, the number of new players arriving at Fratton Park for the Blues’ third straight season in the second tier could well reach double figures - as has been the case during the past two summer transfer windows.
However, he anticipates difficulties along the way, with Pompey likely needing to ‘trim the fat’ in order to get their squad to a level that sees them avoid another relegation battle.
We're talking another double-figure summer of signings
With the Blues’ Championship status secured with two games left to play this season, work can begin in earnest now on plans earmarked for the forthcoming close season.
Whether or not owners Tornante increase the playing budget previously allocated to head coach John Mousinho and sporting director Rich Hughes remains to be seen.
Regardless, Cross believes Pompey have their work cut out to assemble a new-look squad.
The Blues writer told the latest episode of Pompey Talk: ‘There is gaps all over that squad.
‘It's going to be another busy summer. I think we're talking another double-figure summer of signings.
‘But also there's fat that needs to be trimmed from that, too.
‘It's not going to be a straightforward process.’
Where potential problems lie for Pompey
Identifying what areas needed the most attention and what potential difficulties lie ahead, Cross added: ‘How many centre-backs have we got? We've got six centre-backs. How many of those are really viewed as ones in contention next season? (Conor) Shaughnessy, obviously, Regan Poole. There's Jojo Dia, who’s the next one in line at the moment.
‘But what happens with Josh Knight? Wasn't cheap. Hasn't been in the squad.
‘Ibane Bowat? He's been a fringe player. I think he’ll want to get out and play.
‘Hayden Matthews, another good lad, promising, but let's face it, a disappointment at the cost at the moment.
‘So what happens with those? Because you can't go and get another defender without moving those ones on.
‘Pack and Dozzell in midfield, you're probably looking at those being (options) three and four moving forward.
‘(Ebou) Adams, you probably have him as one of your front-line ones. But then there's Luke Le Roux and Mark Kosznovszky as well. Who’s going to be buying Mark Kosznovszky off the back of a serious injury at the moment?
‘Le Roux, you think they might want to move on. But will they be able to shift him? Would they have to take a hit on him? Quite probably yes.
‘Terry Devlin, he moves on, doesn't he? We all know that’s the likelihood there. Do Pompey say, okay, we've got two Championship right-backs already, so do we look to move that money to somewhere else in the squad? Left-back, Ogilvie front-line, Jacob Farrell not done it. Do you recruit there? Probably look to get one.
‘And then there’s the big, big one! The front line obviously needs surgery and that definitely will be the case.’
Competition for Colby Bishop
Honing in on the forward department, Cross said decisions have to be made on loan duo Millenic Alli and Gustavo Caballero, whi have had varying degrees of success following their January arrivals.
However, the main priority, above everything else, will be to recruit a centre-forward who is either better than Colby Bishop or can provide him with sufficient competition.
Cross added: ‘Alli, obviously, people wanted him to stay at first, but most people say they wouldn't sign him now. Quite possibly! And what to do with Caballero?
‘So that's another area. But the other one, and the place were Pompey have been caught out is obviously the number-nine position and not recruiting competition for Colby Bishop.
‘That would be the most important area if you're picking one area where they need to really put some significant investment.’
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