6 priority positions Portsmouth must address in the summer transfer window

It’s expected to be a huge summer in the transfer window at Fratton Park as John Mousinho looks to freshen up his squad for next season.

With the current campaign heading into its final week, attention has already turned to next term after the Blues secured their Championship safety.

Talks will take place this week between owners Tornante and head coach John Mousinho to discuss the club’s recruitment, budget and spending power during what is expected to be a critical period.

Although Pompey completed their quest for safety with two games remaining, there have still been plenty of challenges along the way with injuries, goalscoring and more.

Here, we take a look at what areas of Mousinho’s squad need addressing as a priority in the upcoming summer window.

Centre-back

The Blues are surprisingly well-stocked in the heart of defence at present, with six specialist centre-backs currently under contract at PO4.

Regan Poole has been an ever-present this term, but has shared a number of different partners amid injury issues and availability.

Conor Shaughnessy, Josh Knight and Hayden Matthews have all spent prolonged periods on the sidelines, while Ibane Bowat has struggled for a starting berth

Despite their depth in the heart of defence, a frontline central defender is still required to keep Poole and Shaughnessy on their toes, or provide valuable cover should the pair suffer any injury blows.

Right-back

Terry Devlin’s situation is a hot topic of conversation in the stands at Fratton Park going into the summer following an outstanding Championship campaign which saw him make the right-back spot his own.

The Northern Ireland international is expected to attract strong interest in the window, with Mousinho admitting it will be tough to retain the 22-year-old’s services as his stock soars.

Zak Swanson remains out of contract at the end of the season, although the head coach has signalled his intention of rewarding the 25-year-old with fresh terms after a brilliant campaign.

Should both of the highly-rated duo depart, though, the right-back position will require urgent attention, with Jordan Williams the sole option.

Left-back

Connor Ogilvie is another key member of Mousinho’s squad who is out of contract upon the season’s climax, although the Blues boss is looking to keep hold of the 2021 arrival.

The 30-year-old has been Pompey’s first-choice left-back throughout his five-year stay and has developed into an established Championship full-back.

Although Swanson has slotted in on the left flank at various points in Ogilvie’s absence because of injury, the 25-year-old could be required to fill the void left by Devlin should he depart this summer.

This would worrying leave the ex-Spurs man and the injury-hampered Jacob Farrell as Pompey’s only left-back options, which could see the Blues dip into the market.

Central midfield

There is expected to be some surgery on Mousinho’s engine room this summer, with the future of Andre Dozzell under the spotlight.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has reported interest from across the Atlantic from DC United.

Marlon Pack is expected to pen a new Fratton deal, keeping him alongside January arrival Ebou Adams, Luke Le Roux and the injury Mark Kosznovszky.

However, Le Roux has endured a frustrating campaign following his £1m switch from IFK Varnamo, while Kosznovszky isn’t expected to return from a knee injury until November at the earliest.

Another frontline option is needed in the middle of the park regardless of Dozzell’s situation.

Right-wing

Right wing has been a constant headache for Mousinho throughout the campaign, with Adrian Segecic, among a host of others, called upon on numerous occasions to play out of position.

It remains to be seen whether the Blues will take up the option to make Gustavo Caballero’s loan deal permanent, while Harvey Blair has still yet to prove himself at Championship level.

Meanwhile, £500,000 arrival Franco Umeh has been restricted to just two outings in his maiden Fratton campaign, having been sidelined wit long-term hamstring issues.

The right-flank has to be a key area of recruitment this summer if Pompey are looking to improve their goalscoring output next term.

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Striker

The number nine role is arguably the position which requires the most attention in the window, with a lack of goals from this department this season a huge concern throughout.

Colby Bishop, who has been a reliable figure in front of goal throughout his Fratton Park stay, has struggled for form and confidence, netting just three league goals in 42 outings.

Thomas Waddingham missed more than seven months due to a quad injury.

Meanwhile, summer arrival Makenzie Kirk is out of the picture at present after struggling to make the step up to Championship level. He’s been left out of Mousinho’s past seven match-day squads.

The Blues have to go all out in the summer to recruit a proven goalscorer and crucially add much-needed competition for Bishop.

That was a key issue Pompey failed to address in January, with Jacob Brown failing to hit the mark after arriving on loan from League One side Luton Town.

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