‘Expect a lot more’: Portsmouth boss’ no-nonsense view on £2m man as Swansea City man falters
There were high hopes over the former Bastia man, after his Swansea City loan signing. Florian Bianchini has failed to live up to expectations so far, however. John Mousinho gives his view on the winger and his future.
John Mousinho is demanding more of Florian Bianchini as his Pompey stay fails to ‘hit the heights’ expected.
But the Blues boss is adamant he’s not yet given up on the Swansea loanee’s Fratton stay being a success, despite the Frenchman finding himself in the cold.
Mousinho on Bianchini: ‘Probably hasn’t hit heights he would’ve liked’
Bianchini has not seen a minute’s action for a month ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Millwall, despite Pompey struggling for goal threat in that time.
There were high hopes over the impact the 24-year-old could make, after the Welsh side’s £2m signing sealed a season-long loan stay at PO4 in the summer.
Bianchini has mustered a single assist and failed to hit the back of the net from nine appearances, however, with his playing time decreasing along the way.
Mousinho knows the player himself will not be happy with his impact so far, as he gave a forthright view of his stay - and the requirement to bring greater end produce to turn things around.
Mousinho said: ‘Flo’s had an interesting start to his Pompey career.
‘He’s had some big moments in games. He’s had some big chances and good bits of influence in games, but nothing’s really quite hit the back of the net.
‘He won the penalty against Norwich and had the chance against Oxford and West Brom, even chances against Coventry and Leicester - a massive chance against Leicester, which ended with a massive save.
‘By Flo’s own admission he probably hasn’t hit the heights he would’ve liked to hit, but we’re still really positive about him, his potential contribution and we expect a lot more from him.
‘I absolutely do (think he can turn it around), that’s why we brought him into the club in the first place. We’re going to keep pushing him.’
Pompey boss’ verdict on Bianchini’s future
Given Bianchini’s lack of impact, the former Bastia man appears and obvious consideration to have his Pompey loan cut short in the January window, when his stay will be reviewed by both parent and club.
The amount of football to be played before the the next transfer window arrives means that’s not something Mousinho is considering at this stage, especially with such a frantic period of games on the immediate horizon.
When asked if Bianchini will return to Swansea in January, the Pompey boss said: ‘We’re not even looking at anything like that at the moment.
‘There’s so many games to play between now and then - we’ll have a look at it at that point.
‘He just needs to keep his head down in training, keep impressing on the training pitch - which he always does - and have that translate into performances whenever we bring him on or he’s starting in a game.
‘I think the big thing for Flo is putting in the work-rate, opportunities and turning it into a better productivity - which we’d expect from our wingers and forward players.’