Hayden Matthews ‘set for major role’ as Portsmouth learn defender’s future
Hayden Matthews looks set to take on a more important role for Portsmouth next season.
The Australian defender made an impressive start to life in the Football League, before an unfortunate injury ruled him out for a large chunk of the close to the season.
There are plenty of positives for John Mousinho to build on after his side ultimately secured their Championship status in relatively comfortable fashion, and Matthews was certainly one of those bright sparks from last season.
Mousinho will want to bring in plenty of new faces this summer as he looks to guide Pompey up towards mid-table next term, but Matthews is one player who will surely be in line to play a more important part.
Matthews to take on major role as Atkinson stays at Bristol City
Portsmouth have been desperate to keep hold of Rob Atkinson on a permanent basis after a hugely impressive loan stint last term. However, Bristol City have now put paid to those hopes.
The centre-back hasn’t made a competitive appearance for the Robins since way back in the 2022/23 campaign, but was handed a new two-year contract at Ashton Gate on Monday (23 June).
News of Atkinson’s new deal will have come as a setback to Mousinho, who would surely have had designs on building his backline around the 26-year-old.
With any hopes of Atkinson returning to the South Coast now firmly off the table, Matthews could provide the perfect replacement for the departing star.
Matthews‘ injury disrupted what had been a promising start to his time in England, but he has already showcased enough ability to have the Pompey faithful very excited about the player he could go on and become.
With that in mind, Mousinho should be prepared to hand the youngster a major role at the heart of the defence, rather than looking into the market to find Atkinson’s alternative.
Matthews has been the most promising Australian addition
Last week, Adrian Segecic became the latest to join the growing contingent of Australians at Portsmouth.
Jacob Farrell, Thomas Waddingham, Segecic and Matthews have made the move across the globe to Fratton Park within the last year, and of those additions, Matthews has been by far the most promising so far.
It is undoubtedly a huge adaptation for young players to move so far away from their homeland in order to pursue a career, but the defender has generally made that switch look relatively easy so far.
With a shirt potentially now available in Pompey’s rearguard, the youngster is surely a strong candidate to fill it in the early stages of the season at least.
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