What Kieran McKenna just said about Conor Chaplin is bad news for Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s fast start to the season has them just one point outside the play-off spots.
Pompey face Southampton on Saturday in their biggest game in years at St.Mary’s.
John Mousinho has his side competing well early in the season, but they face their greatest test so far of the campaign on Sunday.
Conor Chaplin signing for Portsmouth has been seen as a real coup and a signal intent for the club going forward.
Kieran McKenna’s comments on Conor Chaplin worry Pompey
Portsmouth signed Chaplin on a season-long loan on Deadline Day from Ipswich Town.
The 28-year-old returned to his boyhood club for the season after experiencing a campaign in the Premier League.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has now indicated that his side will welcome Chaplin back to Suffolk when his loan spell finishes.
💬 McKenna on Conor Chaplin's loan to #Pompey: “He is a big loss to the group, but he is a modern legend of the club and deserves the respect to look at what is best for him."#itfc
— Kallum Brisset (@KallumBrisset) September 11, 2025
He said: “He is a big loss to the group, but he is a modern legend of the club and deserves the respect to look at what is best for him.”
This will make grim reading for Pompey fans, who would have wanted him to stay beyond the end of the season.
Ipswich appear to have other plans, however, and will expect to have Chaplin back for next season.
Portsmouth should do everything to keep Chaplin
Chaplin is expected to start against Southampton in what would be his second debut for the club.
The Englishman is the exact quality of player that could take Portsmouth to the next level.
- Chaplin made 122 appearances for Portsmouth in his first spell
- He was a key part of the Ipswich Premier League promotion campaign
- He scored his first Premier League goal on his 400th career game
While McKenna’s comments may signify that a permanent deal may not be on the cards, Pompey should do as much as they can to sign him next season.
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