‘You can see why’: Former Portsmouth and Millwall man delivers exciting admission over £600,000 signing after shining introduction
£600,000 January arrival Madiodio Dia featured seven times for Pompey during the second half of the season.
Paul Robinson is excited by Madiodio Dia’s huge potential after a shinning introduction to his Fratton Park career.
But the former Pompey defender insists John Mousinho’s side do have to be patient with the raw talent as he continues his development.
The 22-year-old ended the campaign as a new supporter favourite having played an invaluable role in the Blues’ Championship survival.
Dia was, of course, recruited in the final knockings of the January transfer window as the head coach looked to bolster his backline.
Although the plan was to initially ease the £600,000 arrival in, he was called upon on a number of occasions due to injuries to the likes of Conor Shaughnessy, Josh Knight and Hayden Matthews.
Huge excitment over promising £600,000 signing
Although there were tough moments slotted in between, Robinson, who appeared 38 times for the Blues, has seen enough from Dia’s postive displays to be encouraged by his potential.
The 44-year-old told The News: ‘He’s got some really good attributes and a lot of potential.
‘Even the manager alluded to him coming in and starting straight away, he’s not quite ready for that.
‘But dipping him in, dipping him out, being ready to play the odd game, really work on him and improve and increase the level of his game, there is definitely something there that you can think and look at and say ‘do you know what, there is a player in there for the long term’.
‘I’ve been very impressed. There’s been some really good performances, then there’s been some inconsistent ones and ones that are a bit nervy but overall you can see why Pompey signed him.
‘I have been really impressed by him, though. It’s a tough league, you’re coming up against some really good attacking players. It’s tough.
‘He’s got some excellent attributes there but maybe some of the other side of his game has maybe found him out a little bit.
‘What’s really good for his point of view is that it will show him areas where he needs to work on and improve. But if he can do that then they will have a really good player on their hands.’
Could a loan be a potential for Madiodio Dia?
The Blues have six options currently vying for spots in Mousinho's backline, competition remains tough heading into pre-season.
There could be some spaces opened up in the backline, however, with Ibane Bowat’s future under the spotlight.
Although Dia will be hoping for regular minutes to aid his development, Robinson is adamant he would keep the ex-Haugesund man around before making a decision over a potential loan.
‘It depends on the plan from the club’s point of view (and how many centre-backs they want).
‘I think what will determine it is pre-season and how he looks then. Sometimes players come back and they’ve stepped up a little bit, taken on a lot from last year and looks ready.
‘I personally think they’ll take the first half of the season to see how he is and then maybe if he hasn’t had a lot of game time by January then look to loan him out.
‘That could be a plan for him but if the plan is to get him as many games as they can in English football then they might look to do that sooner rather than later.’
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