Isaac Hayden wowed by Portsmouth fans as he drops new transfer hint
Portsmouth have signed a wealth of players over the past year in a bid to have enough strength in the tank to survive in the Championship.
They have largely had extremely varying levels of success, whether that be down to injuries or the lack of readiness or experience for the battle, some exciting prospects for the future.
The players in John Mousinho’s squad who have secured safety at Fratton Park have tended to be the free transfers and loans that were pulled off on a strict budget to add vital experience of the division to the League One title-winning side.
Isaac Hayden thanks Portsmouth fans, next season mentioned
Mousinho and his side deserve immense credit for what they have overcome to ensure Championship status for next season at Portsmouth.
They have made Fratton Park one of the most difficult grounds to visit in the league, and have often learnt from naive mistakes made in the first half of the campaign.
The adversity they faced with injuries has been navigated as best as possible, and some of the signings recruited in January have helped push the Blues over the line – including Hayden.
The on-loan Newcastle United ace has been in and out of the starting XI but has been a very useful leadership figure, joining long-time teammate Matt Ritchie on the South Coast.
Jamaican international midfielder Hayden took to X (22 April) to thank the Pompey fans, describing survival as a “special” moment, and mentioned building momentum for next season – when plenty of Blues supporters want to see him stay permanently.
Portsmouth to sign Hayden on permanent deal?
Hayden, 30, arrived at Portsmouth in January as an exciting signing, due to his experience in the Premier League and Championship.
It has largely been down to the players who have operated in the top two tiers previously to have dragged Pompey through, with the younger recruits hoping to have an impact next term.
Portsmouth have probably accepted that to take Freddie Potts back on loan for another season could be beyond them, given that he is likely to be offered a Premier League chance by Graham Potter at underperforming parent club West Ham United.
| Isaac Hayden – Portsmouth | Total |
| Appearances | 15 |
| Starts | 11 |
| Wins | 8 |
This could elevate Hayden’s long-term future as something of a priority for Mousinho and Rich Hughes, who will already be scouring the market for potential coups.
Former Arsenal product Hayden – who is under contract at St James’ Park only until next year – has clearly enjoyed his matter of months at Portsmouth, and there is certainly a chance his move south from Newcastle becomes a longer-term one.