Andy Cullen makes inevitable Portsmouth admission over summer transfer window
Portsmouth are expecting to be busier in the coming weeks as the transfer window gets into full flow.
John Mousinho’s side have already managed to land Australian Adrian Segecic so far this summer and are restricted to one of the tightest budgets in the Championship.
Having lost the likes of Kusini Yengi and Christian Saydee, Pompey are already playing catch-up as they navigate a difficult summer window.
Andy Cullen shares Pompey loan admission
Last season, Portsmouth relied on the loans of Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden and Bristol City’s Rob Atkinson to help them avoid the drop.
Portsmouth are still hoping to sign Atkinson on a permanent deal after he became a fan favourite in the second half of last season.
Now, Portsmouth CEO Andy Cullen has said that loan signings will be inevitable this summer.
Speaking to The News (1 Juky) Cullen said: “We will always have loans – and we also want to invest in young talent, which is why we paid fees for Adrian Segecic this window and Hayden Matthews and Thomas Waddingham in the last window.
‘There was previously an overreliance on loans, which was more about the spending of a higher proportion of the budget on loans.
“The volume and number of loans aren’t necessarily a problem if you have the right sort of level and the right balance in terms of your squad.
‘That has been the strategy we have been operating with. We had loans last season, we used loans when we won the League One title, that doesn’t change. Inevitably, we will also have loans this season.”
Pompey have utilised loans well in recent seasons, with the likes of Abu Kamara, Tino Anjorin and Freddie Potts impressing at Fratton Park.
However, short-term deals have left Mousinho with huge gaps in his side and an unsettled squad, and although the Blues are searching for more permanent additions, they could again plug gaps with loanees.
Portsmouth fans will be forced to wait until closer to the end of the transfer window, with the European Under-21s Championships causing a delay to younger players being loaned out.
Portsmouth’s reliance on loans could prove costly
Long-serving Championship sides tend to have a solid spine of players that rarely changes.
If Pompey are to continue relying on loans, then becoming a player in the upper echelons of the Championship may take a little patience.
Ideally, loans such as Atkinson;s would turn into permanent deals and continue to tap into untouched markets, such as signing more Australian talent.
Australia offers Pompey a platform for cheap young talent that can be useful in English football.
One Socceroo the Blues could sign is Nectarios Triantis, who impressed on loan at Hibs last season and would prove to be an efficient signing.