AliousHarry Clout, once rejected by Crystal Palace, has emerged as an unexpected standout in Portsmouth’s pre-season matches.
Sam Hudson, the Academy’s lead professional development phase coach, believes Clout shows promising potential.
Playing as a left winger, Clout impressed in recent friendlies against Hawks and Bognor, showcasing directness and fearlessness in attack.
The 17-year-old Londoner joined Pompey in summer 2023 after being turned down for a scholarship at Crystal Palace.
Hudson praises Clout’s unpredictable playing style and explosive nature, though notes they’re working on refining his technical skills and consistency.
He highlights Clout’s ability to create opportunities and his left-footed play as valuable assets.
Clout’s performance in the Hawks match demonstrated good link-up play and forward-thinking, earning trust from first-team players.
As Pompey moves to higher-profile pre-season matches, Clout will likely focus on Academy commitments, including an upcoming friendly against QPR.
Hudson emphasizes that while Clout has made a strong initial impression, sustained performance over time will be key to his future prospects at the club.
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