Mousinho ‘must not’ fall in to Portsmouth transfer trap after new deal signed
John Mousinho is already looking at potential targets to add to his Portsmouth squad this summer.
The Pompey boss led his side to safety in the Championship last season, despite coming close to the relegation zone at times.
With that in mind, there is plenty of work to be done ahead of the new campaign to push his side further up the table.
The boss has already had to make some difficult decisions when it comes to releasing players, with the likes of Kusini Yengi being let go from Fratton Park.
However, Mousinho raised some eyebrows after offering a new contract to goalkeeper Ben Killip.
Portsmouth keeping Killip
After signing for Pompey in the winter transfer window and making just two appearances, the boss offered Killip a new deal after he reached the end of his short-term contract.
Nicolas Schmid was the number one choice between the sticks for the majority of the campaign, but the 29-year-old has still extended his stay on the South Coast.
It has now been announced that the goalkeeper has signed a new two-year deal at Fratton Park and will be on hand to provide competition with Schmid next season.
| Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
| 2 | 2 | 0 |
While having another goalkeeping option is a positive for Pompey, given the Blues paid an undisclosed fee for his services in the winter window, the whole saga does feel somewhat strange.
Portsmouth already have one of the smallest budgets in the second tier and based on the clubs coming into the league on both sides, that gulf is only set to grow.
Nevertheless, now Killip’s services have been secured, Mousinho must now look at changing his transfer strategy for the remainder of the window.
Mousinho need to look at younger players
Naturally, Portsmouth can’t get away from paying for some players but they must be shrewd in their business, and that is not just about going for players on low fees.
With Killip expected to remain the back-up goalkeeper next term, going for a 29-year-old is a somewhat interesting choice.
When it comes to the remainder of the additions in the side, Pompey have to look at their transfer strategy through a longer-term lens too.
As Michael Eisner continues to look at ways that he can make Portsmouth more financially stable in the long term, buying younger players who will potentially have sell on value going forward will aid these ambitions.
Mousinho must make sure that his business so far does not prove to be a blueprint for how the summer will play out.