Isaac Hayden comments will not go down well with Portsmouth fans after QPR unveiling
Portsmouth have been extremely busy in the transfer window, recruiting seven new players so far.
John Mousinho’s side looked desperately short of midfielders in the summer, but they’ve filled that gap with the likes of John Swift, Luke Le Roux and Mark Kosznovszky.
Adrian Segecic looks like a contender for signing of the season, while loanees Florian Bianchini and Yang Min-hyeok have shown glimpses of potential.
This new-look Portsmouth squad has gelled quickly, having picked up four points from their opening three league games.
Isaac Hayden makes strange QPR claim
Some fans were calling for Isaac Hayden to rejoin Portsmouth earlier this summer.
The Jamaican international had a good spell on loan at Fratton Park last season. His strong midfield performances toward the back end of the season certainly contributed to Pompey beating the drop.
Hayden was released by Newcastle earlier this summer, but there was no sign that Pompey were ever interested in signing him.
It’s believed that Mousinho was interested in younger targets, and that’s what they’ve got in Le Roux and Kosznovszky.
Even so, Pompey fans aren’t going to be pleased about what Hayden said when he was revealed as QPR’s latest signing.
Hayden was on loan at Loftus Road in the 2023-24, and completed his return as a permanent signing on Monday.
In his first interview as a QPR player, he said: “Last year when I was at Portsmouth, it was quite difficult to play against the guys. I felt like I was lining up on the wrong team!”
Portsmouth have already moved on from Isaac Hayden
Hayden played an important role for Portsmouth last season.
His no-nonsense style of play was exactly what Portsmouth needed at a time when injuries were mounting.
He left the club on good terms, and previously great things to say about his time at Fratton Park.
His comments might annoy some Portsmouth fans. The thought that anyone in a Pompey shirt would rather be playing for the opposition isn’t something that will warm their hearts.
| Isaac Hayden’s Portsmouth loan spell in numbers | |
| Debut | 15 January 2025 |
| Appearances | 17 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
However, Portsmouth beat QPR in the game that Hayden started. Those three points helped drag Pompey further away from the relegation zone in what ultimately proved to a successful season.
The club has since progressed by signing midfielders with more natural ability than the former Newcastle man. So, there’s unlikely to be too many sour grapes from the Portsmouth fanbase.
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