Portsmouth ace reaches ‘end of the road’ despite what he did v Hull
Portsmouth ended the season with a point after facing Hull City at Fratton Park.
It’s been a bumpy ride for Pompey this term, as John Mousinho’s men have worked hard to retain their position in the Championship.
The South Coast side secured their safety in advance of the end of the campaign, taking the pressure off in the final weeks of the season.
However, with the boss having some big decisions to make in the summer transfer window, his squad have had to prove why they are worthy of being kept at Fratton Park.
Christian Saydee steps up for Portsmouth
Christian Saydee has had to settle for the majority of his game time from the bench, with just 10 starts this season.
The striker has had a slow campaign and came into the last game of the season with just two goals to his name for the term so far.
It was another substitute appearance for the 22-year-old against Hull, with Mousinho bringing him on to play the second half.
The future of Saydee has been mooted for some time now and when he earned his side a point with a strike in the 55th minute, supporters were clearly pleased for him.
Saydee is out of contract in 2026, leaving a big decision to be made at Fratton Park in the summer and after his goal, some supporters were calling for him to get his opportunity next term.
Mousinho cannot get sentimental
Although Saydee did well to come on and score, Mousinho cannot make his decision not to move him on this summer on that basis alone.
The fact that the striker has not been a regular part of the squad this season and Portsmouth need to improve their quality should already be raising questions over whether this is someone who can be a part of that.
Although he scored his only shot of the game, Saydee touched the ball just four times in the opposition’s box and was dispossessed three times, suggesting he still did not do enough.
| Saydee v Hull | |
| Minutes played | 45 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Goals scored | 1 |
| Dispossed | 3 |
| Duels won | 3 |
| Duels lost | 5 |
If there were any doubts over his strength in the Championship, that was highlighted against Hull with the youngster making no tackles, as well as losing five of his eight duels.
It was good for Saydee to get a goal that could be his farewell to Fratton Park, but a return of three for the campaign is not good enough and he hasn’t shown enough elsewhere to suggest that he could help take Portsmouth up the league.