Conor Chaplin’s uncertainty over his future as Portsmouth favourite’s Ipswich Town deal comes to close
Conor Chaplin is set to become a free agent this summer, with his Portman Road deal coming to a close. The Pompey favourite gave an honest answer over his situation at present.
Conor Chaplin has insisted he currently has no idea where his future lies.
The huge Pompey favourites vowed he has no clue over where he will be playing his football next term, as he gets set to become a free agent this summer.
Conor Chaplin on future: ‘God knows, I honestly have no idea at moment’
And Chaplin promised he’s comfortable with that situation, as he focusses on the task of helping the Blues remain in the Championship.
The Ipswich Town man is due to see his existing deal at Portman Road come to a close in June, though the Tractor Boys do hold an option to extend his stay in East Anglia.
It remains to be seen what will unfold on that front, though Pompey boss John Mousinho has already made it clear the chance to land Chaplin as a free agent is something he would like to explore.
With the Blues still fighting to stay in the Championship, the outcome of that survival battle would be significant over that scenario progressing.
And the 29-year-old made it clear that is where his focus lies at present, with the academy graduate uncertain what lies ahead for him.
When asked what’s the position over his future, Chaplin said: ‘God knows, I honestly have no idea at the moment.
‘To be honest, I haven’t thought about it - and I don’t want to think about it.
‘I don’t want to give energy to anything else, other than making sure this club is in the Championship next season.
‘It would mean the world to me for this club to be in the Championship next season, so I just want to make sure that happens first.’
Chaplin’s difficult Pompey stay this season sparked to life on Saturday, as he stepped up with one of the biggest Championship goals of the season with his late, late winner at Middlesbrough.
That took his goal total to the season to two finishes and three assists, which is a return which falls short of the player’s expectations.
Chaplin spoke honestly over his feelings over the campaign to The News on Monday, but still feels he has plenty to offer over the final four games of the season.
When asked if taking a central role in securing Championship survival for Pompey would make the season a success, Chaplin added: ‘I suppose one for the off-season, one to reflect on then.
‘In terms of human development maybe, in terms of being a professional I don’t know yet. It’s one to look at in the summer and not now.
‘I do like to think I try to find solutions for situations, though.
‘I’m not just saying it, I’ve enjoyed finding out what I’m made of in this situation. It’s adversity, it’s a season which has not gone my way.
‘It’s not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination at all, but it’s one where I’ve had really high expectations and I’ve probably not reached those.
‘But I have enjoyed turning up and finding out what I’m made of every single day. Can I still turn up do the right things? Can I still drive my team-mates every day in training? I have done - and I’m proud of that.
‘So hopefully I can get some more reward for that between now and the end of the season.’