Portsmouth are ready for one of their most successful seasons in recent memory.
Pompey were promoted from League One last season after finishing top of the table with 97 points. This season, they will play in the second division for the first time in 12 years, and they will be frantic to reestablish themselves as a Championship club.
They will go off against John Mousinho, who managed the team to promotion in his first complete season. The 38-year-old has become a tremendously popular figure at Fratton Park, and despite his lack of Championship managing experience, he has demonstrated some promising attributes that will help him survive this season.
So far, the summer transfer season has been relatively busy as Mousinho creates a group capable of competing in the second tier. The likes of ex-Oxford United striker Josh Murphy and ex-Barnsley defender Jordan Williams have strolled through the doors at Fratton Park this summer, but their deals have yet to be completed.
Mousinho will most certainly look to bring in a few more new faces before the start of the season on August 10th, when they face promotion hopefuls Leeds United.
Football League World looks at two players in particular who Pompey might consider signing.
Abu Kamara
If Portsmouth re-signs Abu Kamara this summer, fans will warmly welcome him back. The 21-year-old joined Portsmouth on loan from Norwich City for the 2023/24 season, when he played a key role in the club’s League One title triumph.
Kamara played in all 46 league games for Pompey last season, scoring eight goals and assisting ten. He improved dramatically over the season and became an important member of Mousinho’s starting lineup, primarily on the right wing.
The 21-year-old has returned to his parent club, Norwich City, and has played for them in preseason while Johannes Hoff Thorup evaluates his new squad. If the Canaries decide that Kamara will not play much for them next season, Portsmouth will definitely step in.
Pompey know exactly what they are getting from the forward, and despite his lack of Championship experience, he has proven his worth in the Portsmouth team with his goals and creativity. Portsmouth fans will undoubtedly want to see the deal completed before the start of the season, as they want to see Kamara in a blue shirt against Leeds on the first day of the season.
Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson, who spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Fratton Park, is another Pompey fan favourite. The Manchester City teenager is expected to return on loan this summer, and Pompey fans will be hoping for a spectacular comeback.
However, Cardiff City, another Championship team, has placed the midfielder on its radar, which will cause anxiety for Portsmouth. Despite Cardiff’s interest, Pompey manager John Mousinho is confident about reuniting with the 21-year-old this summer.
Robertson was an important member of Pompey’s midfield last season, making 20 league starts and routinely producing excellent performances. Unfortunately, the midfielder sustained a season-ending injury in January, although this did not take away his Despite his earlier campaign performances, he continued to play an important role in their advancement. Robertson is another player with little Championship experience, but Pompey would like to see him return if a deal with Cardiff does not work out.
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