Portsmouth unveil new scholar intake as Under-18 side begin season with defeat
Portsmouth have introduced fans to their new scholar intake but began their 2024-25 season with defeat by Northampton Town at the weekend.
Pompey posted on their official X account [9 August] to unveil the club’s nine new scholars, some of whom already featured for the U-18s as Under-16 players during the 2023-24 campaign.
The youngsters – combined with the club’s second-year scholars – took on Northampton and were beaten 2-1 in their Youth Alliance League opener on Saturday, and now prepare to host Leyton Orient this weekend.
Portsmouth must create youth opportunities
One topic of debate which has been previously covered at Portsmouth is the glaring lack of Under-21 side, or to be precise professional development phase.
This phase allows three years post-scholarship for young players to be awarded professional contracts and play academy football above the station at which they had played before, and can keep players at clubs for longer.
The process allows clubs to create progression plans and evaluate the players each year, deciding whether they should be released, loaned out or integrated into the first-team setup.
The unfortunate scenario at Pompey is such that every player who completed their scholarship at the end of last season was let go – even Koby Mottoh, who was kept around a few extra days while a decision was mulled over before eventually joining AFC Bournemouth.
The current crop of teenage starlets at Fratton Park must be nurtured the right way and have opportunities available to them. It is simply unsustainable to release every scholar or scratch around attempting to find loans before revisiting in 12 months’ time, because there is no bridge between the academy and first team.
When this is addressed, the talent emerging from Portsmouth will begin to increase.
In other Portsmouth news, an extensive injury update from John Mousinho.
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