Portsmouth eye new role for Fratton favourite after international switch
It was a surprise switch for Pompey’s player of the season at international level - one which raises possibilities for John Mousinho.
Terry Devlin is being eyed for a potential shift to the left flank for Pompey as his versatility broadens.
And John Mousinho admitted he genuinely believes the Northern Ireland international can play ‘pretty much anywhere’, as he lives up to his Fratton billing.
Mousinho on Devlin: ‘I genuinely think he can play pretty much anywhere’
Devlin is away with his country across the international break, as they face Nations League clashes with Ukraine on Saturday and Hungary next Tuesday.
The 23-year-old’s last minutes on international duty threw up a fascinating scenario, as he was utilised as a left wing-back by Michael O’Neill in their impressive 3-0 win against Ukraine last month.
It was the first time Devlin had played in the role but the reigning Blues player of the season caught the eye, as he added another notch on the extensive list of positions he’s operated in.
The move wasn’t lost on Mousinho, with the 2023 capture Glentoran already converting from a midfielder to right-back in his time at PO4.
The Blues head coach explained he considered using Devlin at left-back in the south-coast derby at Southampton last month.
With Connor Ogilvie sidelined and Jayden Meghoma the only orthodox left-back available, it’s an option which remains on the Pompey’s boss’ radar in a week where his club have been linked with Belgian left-back Renzo Tytens.
Mousinho said: ‘We have different full-backs at the moment.
‘The interesting thing is Terry played left wing-back for Northern Ireland as well.
‘That wasn’t a position we necessarily thought he’d thrive in, but we looked at bringing him on there against Southampton.
‘We were protecting Jayden and Jayden was one we took off, because he’d been booked in that game. He was also being booed relentlessly and we thought that was another potential flashpoint over him.
‘So Terry was one we considered putting there, but we decided to put Swanny over there because he’s a bit more familiar with it.
‘I think he can play there, though. I genuinely think he can play pretty much anywhere.
‘You get a different profile if you play him where he plays out wide.
‘If you play him wide, he’s played wide left and wide right, it’s a different profile to an out-and-out winger but he does a very good job and he’s settled well as a full-back.’
O’Neill is in agreement with Mousinho over Devlin’s suitability to playing left wing-back, a factor given Northern Ireland’s excellent right-back options.
Liverpool’s Conor Bradley, Sunderland’s Trai Hume and Oxford United’ Brodie Spencer are all competing with Devlin in that position.
Speaking of his Ukraine performance, O’Neill said of Devlin: ‘The lads who came in - brilliant for Terry.
‘We’re asking him to play on his non-natural side, but I think he’s capable of playing there for us - and he showed it.’
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