Portsmouth rising star named in top 50 wonderkids in the world
Portsmouth have signed numerous young prospects in recent years in a bid to create a platform for talent to excel in England and self-sustain the club.
The likes of Thomas Waddingham, Abdoulaye Kamara and Harvey Blair have all been brought in this season as project signings for the future at Fratton Park.
John Mousinho is making a measured effort to carefully introduce his starlets to first-team action, though a bulked-out squad are now experiencing more players returning to fitness.
Portsmouth ace Hayden Matthews makes world stars feature
Portsmouth have been recognised for their youth development and astute acquisition of burgeoning players, with one making headlines in World Soccer magazine.
As pointed out by TV commentator and Blues fan Ian Darke – who is also a regular expert contributor on Pompey News – Hayden Matthews has been recognised in its ’50 wonderkids’ feature comprising players around the globe.
Matthews, 20, arrived at Portsmouth in January from the Australian A-League’s most successful club, Sydney FC, for a fee reported to be over £1.2million.
Darke posted on X (16 February): “Prestigious magazine ‘World Soccer’ has Pompey’s young Aussie centre-back Hayden Matthews in its ‘50 Wonderkids’ feature.
“He’s made a fine start in England.”
Hayden Matthews has made a bright start
It’s uncertain how much football Matthews was promised or what he was expecting when he made the move across the world last month, but he has been fairly heavily involved.
Saturday’s win for Portsmouth (15 February) at Oxford United saw Matthews start due to Conor Shaughnessy’s fresh injury blow, and the Socceroo appears to have taken to Championship football well.
His debut against Millwall was encouraging despite defeat at Fratton Park, and he has surpassed expectation in his three substitute appearances so far.
Matthews will be helped to settle by the growing Aussie contingent at Fratton Park, and will be boosted in confidence by the way he has quickly adapted for the needs of his head coach, teammates and fans.
Imposing, athletic and smart in possession, Matthews possesses the attributes to be fine-tuned into eventually making him an excellent contemporary centre-half in English football.