Callum Lang sends emotional message as Portsmouth exit now confirmed
Portsmouth star Callum Lang has reacted after an emotional exit was confirmed.
The Fratton Park outfit are looking to solidify their place in the Championship after surviving comfortably last season.
John Mousinho’s squad is in need of upgrades if they are to push towards the top half of the table, but there could also be outgoings to boost his budget.
However, the latest departure sanctioned by the PO4 outfit has left a sour taste for supporters and Lang.
Lang sends Saydee message as Portsmouth departure finalised
Portsmouth confirmed that Christian Saydee has left to join Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee on Thursday (19 June).
Lang took to Instagram to share a message after the deal was confirmed, saying: “Going to miss you, my mate, go and smash it! Good choice, though.”
The 26-year-old made 143 appearances, notching 31 goals and 18 assists for the Latics before joining Pompey, so it makes sense that he is happy about Saydee’s next destination.
Portsmouth need to replace Saydee in the squad
It made sense to cash in on the 23-year-old as he was entering the final year of his contract in PO4. However, they must replace his impact in the squad.
Saydee made 29 appearances in the Championship, and although just 10 of those were starts, the Liberian forward was the back-up to Colby Bishop, a role that will need to be fulfilled by his replacement next season.
| Stats (Championship) | Saydee |
| Matches | 29 |
| Starts | 10 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 0 |
Saydee may have only scored three goals for Pompey last season but as the majority of his matches were from the bench, it is impossible to say what kind of contributions he could have made had he started more often.
He did seem to be unable to make the step up from League One, after impressing in the promotion campaign, but Mousinho’s side looks depleted in the forward area at the moment after Kusini Yengi also departed for new pastures.
It must be a priority to add a prolific striker in the transfer window if Portsmouth are to compete in the second tier, despite it being good business to sell Saydee before his contract expired.
For now, Bishop and Lang will have to hold the fort when it comes to goalscoring, but they could do with some help beyond Adrian Segecic before the campaign begins.
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