Mousinho to have final say on Ferguson deal at Portsmouth after ‘sad story’
Portsmouth are looking to seal a few more deals in the summer transfer window before the new Championship season starts.
Australian playmaker Adrian Segecic has signed, while former West Brom midfielder John Swift looks set to join him.
However, John Mousinho has admitted he wants more new players before the season begins on 9 August.
He has recruited two triallists who are expected to be given a chance to show what they can do during Pompey’s pre-season fixtures.
One of those is Nathan Ferguson, the former West Brom and Crystal Palace defender who has been sidelined with injuries for years.
Don Goodman laments sad story of Nathan Ferguson
Ferguson’s injury record is so bad that he hasn’t made a senior appearance since 2021.
He looked like a star in the making when he burst onto the scene with West Brom, although that was a long time ago now.
Nevertheless, Mousinho will give Ferguson the chance to impress him during Portsmouth’s pre-season schedule starting on 15 July away at Woking.
Reacting to this news, Football League expert Don Goodman suggested that it was worth taking a punt on Ferguson in pre-season.
He told Football League World (12 July): “It’s quite a sad story really, the Nathan Ferguson story.
“He needs to prove his fitness, and he needs to look good in doing so, and if he does that, then John Mousinho will be the judge of whether he’s worth a little gamble or not.”
Ferguson could prove to be the perfect back-up signing
Portsmouth need of new midfielders, wingers and strikers, but they look reasonably well covered in defence.
If there’s one position that’s perhaps needed, it’s a back-up to Conor Ogilvie at left-back. Ferguson has the ability to play there, and he can also slot in as a centre-half.
His versatility could make him a useful addition to the Portsmouth squad, even if it’s only as a back-up defender.
| Seasons | Club | Appearances | Goals |
| 2017-2020 | West Bromwich Albion | 21 | 1 |
| 2020-2024 | Crystal Palace | 1 | 0 |
Considering that Ferguson has been without a club, it’s a role he’d most likely be happy to take on. His wage demands surely wouldn’t stretch Pompey too far either.
Of course, Ferguson will have to prove that he can be relied upon at Championship level. This could be tough to judge since most of Pompey’s pre-season opponents and teams operating in the lower leagues.
Mousinho has proven himself as a good judge of a player’s ability though, so this could end up as a bargain deal for Pompey.
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