Kieran McKenna has just revealed his stance on Conor Chaplin’s future after Portsmouth transfer
Conor Chaplin’s return to Fratton Park was a deadline day treat for Portsmouth fans.
The attacking midfielder came through the academy at the South Coast club and helped them win the League Two title.
In 2019, the 28-year-old left Pompey after making over 100 appearances and becoming a fan favourite.
Now, after a successful spell at Ipswich Town, where he helped the Tractor Boys gain promotion, Chaplin has rejoined Portsmouth on loan, with Kieran McKenna now giving his view on the move.
Kieran McKenna: Conor Chaplin may still have a future at Ipswich Town
The addition of Chaplin at Portsmouth is no doubt a considerable coup.
The attacking midfielder was sensational in the Championship when Ipswich won promotion to the Premier League, netting 13 goals in the second tier.
While numerous factors helped persuade Chaplin to rejoin Portsmouth, it could be a season-defining deal for John Mousinho.
However, any of the Fratton Park faithful who are hoping that the attacker might stay on at Pompey past the 2025/26 campaign may be disappointed.
McKenna has now spoken to East Anglian Daily Times on 5 September, explaining that Chaplin may still have a future at Portman Road.
- Chaplin has joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan
- The attacking midfielder orginally departed Pompey in 2019
- Chaplin will no be hoping to become a star player once again at Fratton Park
He said: “We spoke about those things a lot. He had an opportunity for his personal life, his career, to go and play regularly at a club he has an affinity for, and rack up those regular starts and, hopefully, goals again.
“That was a difficult one because you know you’re losing an unbelievable person from the dressing room who would have helped us this year. But I think it’s right that his desire to do what’s best for his career is understood and listened to.
“He hopes – we hope – that the door is very much still open here and that we haven’t seen the last of him.”
How good was Conor Chaplin in the 2023/24 campaign?
The last time Chaplin was in the Championship, the attacking midfielder dominated the league.
At Ipswich Town, he picked up 21 goal contributions as they finished in second place.
According to Fotmob, his attacking stats were some of the best in the business.
| Conor Chaplin in the 2023/24 Championship campaign | Per minute |
| Goals | 0.35 |
| Assists | 0.21 |
| xG | 0.32 |
| Shots | 3.69 |
| Chances created | 1.42 |
| xA | 0.14 |
Chaplin’s average minutes per goal were outrageous, with the attacker also creating plenty throughout the match.
If this can be replicated on the South Coast, Portsmouth have a shot at reaching the play-offs, especially with Mousinho at the helm.
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