Portsmouth ‘must do everything’ to keep hold of in-demand Josh Murphy
Portsmouth have had a rollercoaster season in the Championship, and Josh Murphy has been the one consistent positive.
Pompey are still fighting for their survival in the second tier of English football ahead of the final stretch of games this season.
The Blues currently sit 17th and are just four points above the drop, placing significant pressure on their remaining six fixtures, starting at Coventry.
Not only will John Mousinho be able to try and sign a greater quality of player if they remain in the Championship, but he will also be more likely to retain those already in the squad.
Murphy has earned admirers this season
Murphy is one of those players, with the forward having been a vital member of the squad since he made the move to Fratton Park.
The forward signed a three-year deal last summer, and Pompey have an option to extend that by a further year, but that doesn’t guarantee he will stay in the long term.
| 2024-25 Stats | Murphy |
| Appearances | 37 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 10 |
| Minutes Played | 2,907 |
That’s because his performances this season have caught the attention of other teams, with Ian Darke even expecting Premier League clubs to hold an interest in him.
Should offers come from the Premier League, it might prove to be difficult for Portsmouth to retain him, even though Mousinho has admitted he doesn’t care if there’s interest in him, as he’s focused on the games ahead.
Portsmouth must do everything to keep Murphy
It is going to be imperative that Portsmouth retain Murphy’s services next season if they want to continue progressing as a club, as he has been such a vital part of the team throughout this campaign.
It is also a major reason why Pompey must avoid the drop to League One this season as Murphy has proven he’s more than capable at his current level, and dropping below that might not be in his career plans now he’s 30 years old.
Murphy has scored seven goals and provided 10 assists this season for Portsmouth, and will be one of the main reasons why they stay up – if they’re able to achieve that goal.