‘A calculated risk’: Portsmouth boss details pathway to Sunderland arrival featuring in Championship
The Pompey boss details the playing picture over his side’s fourth January transfer window capture.
John Mousinho revealed Aji Alese will need to be eased into his Pompey career as he acknowledged the ‘calculated risk’ being taken over his capture.
But the Blues boss insisted the Sunderland loan arrival is ready to play some role now in his new side’s bid for Championship survival.
Mousinho on Alese: ‘Not one who can go straightaway’
Alese completed his move to PO4 as revealed by The News last Thursday, with the former West Ham man linking up with Mousinho’s squad for the rest of the season.
The 25-year-old has dealt with a succession of injury issues in his time at the Stadium of Light, but earned plaudits for his performance levels when available.
After breaking his leg last January Alese is now back playing again, though Mousinho feels Pompey have to be cautious over how they introduce their new boy.
He said: ‘Aji’s an experienced Championship player, he’s a good age in terms of not being a kid - though he would’ve liked to have played more games.
‘He started off very well last season for Sunderland, but unfortunately picked up a few injuries across the year. He hasn’t played for a long time in the league, which is one of the reasons we were able to pick him up.
‘He can play left-back, left centre-half and is physically very good.
‘We need to get him into the building and get him physically right, he’s not one who can come in and go straightaway.
‘He can definitely play minutes. He’s played 45 minutes and 65 minutes for Sunderland’s under-21 side. What we don’t want to do is risk anything unnecessarily too quickly, but he’ll be ready pretty soon.
‘He’s in good shape and it’s just about getting him ready for the Championship.’
Given Pompey’s own unrelenting injury issues, Alese’s arrival has drawn some scepticism when considering the lengthy list of problems he’s dealt with.
Mousinho made no effort to hide the move was a calculated decision weighing up those factors, pointing to how the success of Rob Atkinson’s capture a year ago was from a similar position.
He added: ‘The best example I’ve got is Rob.
‘Rob came in after not playing for two years and, as you can see from his performances this year and signing a new deal, we weren’t getting Rob unless he’d been out for two years. He’s a top-end Championship player.
‘It’s similar for Aji, who was playing for a Sunderland side who get promoted last year.
‘Without injuries, I’m not sure whether he would have stayed at Sunderland and played in the Premier League or not, but the alternative is he goes to a top-six Championship side.
‘That’s the reason we’ve got him, we’ve taken a decision with all of those factors in our minds - we’re aware of them. As with every decision, we’re not just saying we’re going to take a punt. It’s a calculated risk.’