John Mousinho makes ‘amazing’ admission after Matt Ritchie Portsmouth return
John Mousinho admits it is “amazing” that Portsmouth have managed to get a deal over the line to bring Matt Ritchie back to the club.
The head coach told Pompey’s official website [6 August] of his delight to bring the 34-year-old to Fratton Park, 13 years after he left as a youngster amid tumultuous financial burden.
Gosport native Ritchie re-signed as a free agent on Tuesday after weeks of speculation, following a superb career across the Premier League and Championship with the likes of Newcastle United and Bournemouth.
Mousinho told the club channels: “It’s a transfer that’s been talked about for a long time and it’s amazing that we’ve been able to get it done.
“I’m sure all the fans have tracked [Matt’s] incredible progress since he was last at the club and been pleased by what he’s achieved.
“As well as playing in the top-flight for a number of seasons, Matt also has plenty of experience at this level, having been promoted from the Championship a couple of times. It’s one of those signings that will provide a real boost around the place because he’s a fantastic player and in very good physical condition.”
Can veteran Ritchie perform for Portsmouth again?
Whilst his age and fitness have proven the predictable cause for any scepticism around Ritchie’s return to Portsmouth, the large majority of supporters are delighted to see him back.
At 34, the Scotland international may not have the capacity to go on and light up the Premier League again as he did in his best years at Newcastle, but he can provide an invaluable weight of pedigree to a dressing room without a great deal of Championship experience.
Of course, the primary objective over the summer has been to bring in a few more players with Championship nous whilst on a budget, something Mousinho and Rich Hughes have executed well so far.
Pompey now have an abundance of wide players which makes it intriguing to see who Mousinho will opt for in the coming weeks when all are match fit.
But even with the wings not necessarily the areas where the Blues are crying out for more options, the opportunity to strike a deal for Ritchie was too good to turn down – for both player and club.
In other Portsmouth news, David Norris explains Alex Robertson’s decision to go to Cardiff City over Pompey.
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