The Brighton midfielder who could hold the key to Milwall man Ben Thompson's Portsmouth return
Brighton’s Jayson Molumby is the man who could be central to Ben Thompson’s Pompey return.
That’s the view of Blues writer Will Rooney in the latest edition of Pompey Talk, which you can download HERE.
Thoughts are beginning to return to the January window where it appears a driving midfielder could be an area of focus for the Blues.
Pompey remain keen on Thompson, who had been used sparingly at The Den this term before a run of three league starts in November.
Lions boss Gary Rowett is looking to strengthen in the middle of the park next month and Brighton Molumby was a favoured option in the summer.
The 21-year-old chose to remain at the Amex Stadium, but has had just a single minute of Premier League action and two Carabao Cup starts to his name this term.
And Rooney believes that could be significant to the chances of Thompson returning to PO4.
He said: ‘January is a transfer window where players who aren’t playing at their clubs generally move out for game time.
‘You think of players Pompey have signed in recent years like McGeehan and Seddon, that’s what it’s been like.
‘You have to get those players who aren’t playing and generally they will drop down a level.
‘As it happened in the summer, Thompson coming in the summer hinged on Molumby going back to Millwall.
‘In the end it was Molumby who didn’t want to go back to Millwall, but he’s played for Republic of Ireland more than he’s played for Brighton this season!
‘So surely now he must be thinking he can’t do another five or six months sitting on the bench and I need to get out.
‘If Millwall did then snap him up, does that then open the way for Ben Thompson?’
‘Gary Rowett may say he might want to keep him around because of injuries and clubs have to look after themselves.
‘But if not you’d think Pompey would revive their interest - so a lot could hang on Molumby.’
Chief sports writer, Neil Allen, picked up on some cynicism from fans over Pompey’s pursuit of Thompson, but explained how close the move was to be being completed earlier in the year.
He added: ‘I know some fans were sceptical that they were trying to get him, but they were - they honestly were.
‘At one point they thought they had him and Kenny Jackett was very chipper speaking to the press.
‘They thought he was entering the building and they were prepared, but the Brighton midfielder fell through at Millwall and as a consequence it didn’t happen for Pompey.’