What Ipswich ‘definitely’ included in Conor Chaplin’s loan terms at Portsmouth
Conor Chaplin’s return to Portsmouth made headlines across the Championship after he left Ipswich on loan at the start of September.
Portsmouth fans were thrilled with Chaplin’s return to Fratton Park after John Mousinho capped off a busy summer transfer window with his arrival on deadline day.
Portsmouth’s Championship season has also started well, with only one defeat across their first four matches.
Chaplin’s temporary return should only improve Mousinho’s Portsmouth team, adding a proven Championship player to his options.
Ipswich do have the option to recall Conor Chaplin
The signing of the Portsmouth academy graduate was nothing short of a surprise.
He may have struggled in the Premier League last season as Ipswich were relegated, but he was remarkable in his most recent time in the Championship.
Mousinho did confirm that Chaplin’s loan does include the clause that Ipswich can recall him in January.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Portsmouth’s upcoming clash against Southampton, Mousinho said: “I think there is, Ipswich would’ve definitely put that in.”
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna still holds Chaplin in high regard and has not closed the door on his career at Portman Road.
While that clause is less than ideal for Portsmouth in the overall outlook for their season, having Chaplin for at least half of the season will make them a much better side.
Chaplin’s first spell saw him spend a total of 16 years at the club before leaving in 2019.
How will the potential recall impact John Mousinho’s team?
The possibility of Chaplin returning to Ipswich will now be on the minds of everyone at Portsmouth and will impact how they look at their squad building ahead of the January transfer window.
It is not unreasonable to think that they will be lining up potential replacements if he were to leave.
Not only would Chaplin’s ability on the pitch be missed, but also the experience he can bring to a very young Portsmouth team.
Losing a key player could derail their season at a crucial point come January, but as Mousinho said: “‘But we could’ve had Conor Chaplin with a recall or no Conor Chaplin.”
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