View: Portsmouth summer signings rated – Jordan Williams scores 8/10
Portsmouth completed their transfer business upon the closing of the transfer window last Friday, having made 14 signings.
From free agents to loans, to a dip into the transfer kitty, John Mousinho and Rich Hughes have looked to strengthen the Blues’ squad to enable the club to achieve stability and an enjoyable Championship season for the fans.
The team have endured some tough opening league fixtures, and currently sit 18th in the table heading into the season’s first international break.
From the early signs and promise, Pompey News rates the club’s new signings out of 10.
Portsmouth make 14 new recruits
Nicolas Schmid – 6
Has not yet made his debut, so will be judged on how he could fare in this Pompey side. It’s a peculiar one as the club already had two senior goalkeepers, which can only mean he was bought from the Austrian top flight with a long-term intention to be number one. Keeps Will Norris on his toes.
Jordan Archer – 5
Again, has only been named on the bench, and was signed as a low-risk free agent. Unsure where Mousinho intends to fit Archer into the side, and could well transpire to be third-choice – difficult for a player with such experience, unless that’s what he is content with.
Jordan Williams – 8
An excellent pickup as a free agent in the summer, leaving Barnsley having captained the side and played a significant amount in the Championship. Has slotted in at both right-back and centre-half in the early stages of the campaign, and looks a reliable performer. Still just 24, there is further development to take place.
Ibane Bowat – 6
The last of the 14 to come in, arriving at Fratton Park on deadline day. Bowat is held in high regard at his departed club Fulham of the Premier League, and has enjoyed gaining experience abroad. Despite being a way off match fitness, was included on the bench over the weekend against Sunderland and is evidently rated very highly.
Jacob Farrell – 5
Has been injured since his arrival as a two-time A-League champion in Australia, but is needed back to provide ample left-back cover for Connor Ogilvie. Despite Mousinho’s squad being the joint-largest in the division, it is here where he could end up being short. An unknown quantity in English football, there are high hopes.
Freddie Potts – 5
Another yet to make his mark in blue, Potts was signed with just days left of the window from West Ham United having featured in European matchday squads for the Hammers. Will provide crucial cover in a central midfield area which had looked incredibly light this time last month. A Championship loan test after excelling at Wycombe in League One last term.
Andre Dozzell – 5
Dozzell was thrown straight in at the deep end without too much preparation when he signed in the days leading up to the season opener at Leeds United. Has himself acknowledged that he is lacking sharpness, but has shown good work-rate and tenacity. Lost the midfield battle against Sunderland teenagers Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg last Saturday, and was always up against it facing Georginio Rutter in one of his last games for Leeds.
Abdoulaye Kamara – 7
Given an extra mark for the sheer promise in the way he plays, after making his debut with a half-hour stint against Sunderland during which he was arguably the best Portsmouth performer on the day. A teenager of PSG and Borussia Dortmund fame, there is a real satisfaction with the fact Kamara is signed on a permanent deal. Potentially the highest ceiling of development out of all the new arrivals.
Sam Silvera – 7
After a crucial year of experience of the league with Middlesbrough last season, the club allowed Silvera to move within the Championship to Pompey. This meant he was ineligible for the trip to the Riverside, but has otherwise looked a real attacking threat from wide on the left. At times an inconsistent player, the raw ability of the Australian could come in very useful.
Matt Ritchie – 6
A player whose experience will be crucial, and it was great to see him given his first league start against Sunderland. Will not however be a player who is relied upon to perform at his best throughout the whole season, given his age and free agent status over the summer, and will have no sell-on value. Ritchie will be an excellent dressing room influence and knows exactly what it means to play for Portsmouth, as a local lad, academy product and supporter of the club.
Harvey Blair – 5
Signed on a permanent deal from Liverpool, Blair comes from good pedigree and will be an interesting player who is currently on the fringes of the squad. Made his debut away at Middlesbrough and looked relatively sharp, and brings versatility to the side as a capable outlet both out wide and through the middle. Will be given time to develop and is unlikely to be a star performer this season, having barely been exposed to any senior football.
Josh Murphy – 6
In terms of the pull factor to make the signing and his potential impact later on this season, a superb recruit. In terms of how it has gone in the opening weeks, a frustrating one as Murphy is sidelined with an injury which has so far robbed him of a Portsmouth debut. Looked a level above in pre-season, as admitted by Mousinho – his former Oxford United teammate – and is the prime example of the Blues boss’ impressive contacts book of current players. Championship experience galore, could be vital.
Elias Sorensen – 6
There is a long way to go with Sorensen, who will need a few months to settle into English football – but if there is one way to accelerate that and feel at home quicker, it is to score a huge goal on your debut. The Danish forward got off the mark against Leeds with the club’s first Championship goal in over 12 years, a special moment in Pompey history. Was the first player over the summer to be signed for a transfer fee, following a good scoring run in his homeland. Will require patience to consistently deliver.
Mark O’Mahony – 6
For a teenager, there could end up being a lot of pressure on O’Mahony having brought him in from along the coast in Brighton. The Irish striker is one of a limited pool of options due to Colby Bishop’s absence, and a stop-start past few weeks for Kusini Yengi. Big potential, and a hard-working player who is not afraid to drop deep to defend and get stuck in. Signed on a straight loan deal, there will be a reliance on the young man to deliver at Fratton Park in the coming months.
In other Portsmouth news, a fierce derby clash has been pencilled in for November.
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