'I love him to bits': Portsmouth boss John Mousinho addresses Callum Lang contract concerns
The attacker has now scored in successive games after netting in Pompey’s 1-1 draw at Derby
John Mousinho is adamant he wants to keep Callum Lang at Fratton Park.
Although, as head coach, he insists he’s unsure over the club’s present position surrounding the popular attacker’s contract situation.
Nicolas Schmid signed a new deal on Friday, keeping the talented goalkeeper on the south coast until the summer of 2029.
Just like the Austrian before he agreed new terms, Lang’s contract is scheduled to expire at the season’s end, although the Blues hold a 12-month option.
The 27-year-old yet again provided a strong reminder of his talents on Saturday, netting in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Derby, thereby registering goals in successive matches.
And Mousinho has made it absolutely clear where Lang fits in his first-team plans.
‘I love him to bits’
He told The News: ‘You are asking the wrong person about contracts, although Langy has been brilliant
‘I think you know my thoughts on Langy! What he did for us when he came into the League One season, then 10 goals by mid-February last year. Now he’s come back in and made a huge difference to the side.
‘Callum is playing out of a position as well and has scored in successive games. He’s absolutely superb.
‘I am sure that everybody above will be looking at what we can do with that (the contract situation). Honestly, I don’t know the latest, that's the beauty of my job - but absolutely I would like to keep him. I love him to bits.
‘Saturday’s finish was excellent, he showed a lot of composure on the break. The goal overall was probably the best we’ve scored all year and we are extremely pleased with that.’
Arrived at Fratton Park in January 2024
Lang arrived from Wigan for an undisclosed fee in January 2024 to bolster Pompey’s League One promotion push.
He subsequently scored four goals in 12 matches amid some sparkling displays as the Blues claimed the title with two matches remaining.
Last term, Lang was a pivotal performer in the opening half of the Championship season, netting 10 times, including all four goals in a 4-1 triumph over Coventry in December 2024.
Nonetheless, a month ago he returned against Millwall after a 13-game absence - and has subsequently netted twice in five outings.
Currently playing on the right wing, with Conor Chaplin operating in the number 10 role, he remains an attacking threat and was the Blues’ match of the match in a battle point earned at Pride Park.
‘You’re going to get that level of performance if he’s not happy’
And Mousinho believes the attacker, who was linked with a move back up north in July, is continuing to love life on the south coast.
He added: ‘Cal’s happy, I don’t think you’re going to get that level of performance if he’s not happy. He is unbelievable.
‘You will know if he’s not happy, you know when he’s happy. All I go on is the fact he works his socks off, he’s playing out of position, and he’s scoring goals. So that’s great for me.’