AliousPortsmouth are gearing up for their long-awaited return to the Championship after over a decade away, with manager John Mousinho tasked with assembling a squad capable of competing in the second tier.
Pompey stormed to the League One title last season playing an attractive, possession-based style while also boasting a well-balanced side – potent in attack but defensively solid. Only Derby County kept more clean sheets (22) than Portsmouth’s 19 in the third tier, while only Peterborough had a higher expected goals tally than Pompey’s 75 xG.
One key contributor to their title triumph was young Norwich City loanee Abu Kamara, who chipped in with 8 goals and 10 assists from the flanks.
With Kamara returning to his parent club, Portsmouth are eyeing potential replacements to fill that creative void.
Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has emerged as a prime target, according to reports. Football League World’s Pompey fan pundit Miltos Ioannidis believes landing the talented winger would represent a major statement of intent by the club.
“To put it simply, I think getting a player of Rak-Sakyi’s calibre would be a massive statement of intent if Pompey were able to pull it off,” Miltos told FLW.
“I remember how immense he was for Charlton a couple of years ago.
Everyone would be over the moon with his arrival. It would be a huge addition, especially with Abu Kamara’s departure leaving a winger spot to fill.”
Rak-Sakyi, who has been part of elite academies at Chelsea, Brighton and Palace, showcased his senior potential during a loan spell at Charlton in 2022/23, attracting interest from numerous clubs.
His pedigree and impressive performances in League One make the 20-year-old an ambitious but statement signing in Portsmouth’s bid to strengthen their promotion-winning squad for the rigors of the Championship.
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