Mousinho makes Portsmouth defender transfer admission amid Atkinson latest
John Mousinho and his Portsmouth squad have returned to pre-season training and look particularly well-stacked in defence.
Pompey will have six centre-halves fit and raring to go when they jet off to a training camp in Bratislava this weekend.
That’s a lot more than they had available at the back end of last season, when an injury crisis required Mousinho to loan Rob Atkinson from Bristol City and move Marlon Pack into defence.
However, now Pompey’s squad is fully replenished, it has led some to question why Pompey were pursuing a permanent deal for Atkinson so aggressively.
Mousinho admits he may sell some centre-halves and recruit new ones
Unless some new injuries strike before the season starts, Mousinho will have Regan Poole, Conor Shaughnessy, Hayden Matthews, Ibane Bowat, Ryley Towler and Tom McIntyre at his disposal.
That’s six centre-halves, which many would suggest is too many to keep everyone happy.
However, in an interview with The News (3 July), Mousinho admitted that one or more of these players could leave Fratton Park this summer.
He said: “We are not entirely sure if any will leave, it’s going to be interesting to see how it pans out over the summer. There may be opportunities if players have them, but we wouldn’t necessarily stand in their way.
“If the opportunity should pop up for some of them, we wouldn’t necessarily dismiss it straight away.”
Mousinho also admitted that another centre-half could be recruited this summer, although this wasn’t a priority in this summer’s transfer window.
Pompey boss Mousinho was keen to bring Atkinson back to Fratton Park on a permanent deal, but that interest has cooled off now he has signed a new contract with Bristol City.
Portsmouth should look to strengthen all over the field
Mousinho didn’t reveal which defenders were likely to be his first choice, although it’s widely believed that Poole, Shaughnessy and Matthews will be fighting for two starting places at centre-half.
Bowat may also fight for a place if he can prove his fitness, which leaves Towler and McIntyre as the most likely to be seen as surplus to requirements.
| Player | 2024-25 Championship Appearances |
| Regan Poole | 27 |
| Conor Shaughnessy | 9 |
| Hayden Matthews | 6 |
| Ibane Bowat | 0 |
| Ryley Towler | 12 |
| Tom McIntyre | 12 |
However, the fitness record among these six players is not good, so Pompey might be well advised to keep all of them around.
The pursuit of Atkinson excited fans because he is arguably a class above any of the other defenders in Portsmouth’s squad.
Indeed, if a superior player becomes available, it shouldn’t matter how many people are fighting for his spot.
That’s why Mousinho should be keeping an eye out for new players in all positions.
While it’s true that Pompey are worryingly short of midfielders and strikers right now, it’s important to be open to transfer opportunities all over the pitch.
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