Portsmouth are set to secure the return of one of their former star players before the 7 pm deadline. With a loan deal lined up, the frontman.
Pompey have enjoyed an excellent start to their Championship campaign. With two wins, a draw, and a loss, the club have made an admirable return of seven points in their opening four.
With John Mousinho aiming to project Portsmouth further up the table in their second season back in the Championship, a deal for one of their former star frontmen could be a huge boost for the South Coast club.
Portsmouth to Secure Forward’s Return
According to reports from Mike McGrath via X, Conor Chaplin could be set for a return to Fratton Park.
Chaplin was last with the club in 2018, as they lifted the League Two title on the final day in dramatic fashion.
Prior, he had spent an enjoyable four years with the club. In that period, Chaplin was a continuously developing performer for the club, becoming one of their more prolific players.
Moving to Coventry City, the forward’s trajectory skyrocketed.
The Englishman went on to join Barnsley, where he became a recognised talisman in the Championship, returning 11 goals and four assists in the 2019-20 season.
Upon Barnsley’s relegation, he went on to move to Ipswich Town, where his career really kicked off.
Tallying 29 goals and five assists in the 2022-23 campaign as the Tractor Boys lifted promotion to the Championship. Chaplin continued to excel in the Championship, contributing 13 goals to their second successive promotion.
With Ipswich now relegated, the expectation has increased. Unfortunately, he is now behind several standout forwards recruited at Portman Road this summer.
Therefore, Chaplin is set to return to Portsmouth on loan from the Suffolk outfit.
Is This A Good Signing for Portsmouth?
A return for one of their previous stars will be a huge boost.
Additionally, the striker is only 28 and has recently starred in a promotion-winning side.
Victim of the change in expectation at Ipswich, Chaplin is an inspired signing for Portsmouth.
Generally operating in a number ten role, he will provide a cultured option amongst Pompey’s current forwards.
It may be difficult to displace new recruit Adrian Segecic from the starting line-up, who has two goals to his name since joining.
The prospect of partnering Chaplin with Colby Bishop could be excellent if Mousinho can facilitate the duo.
His first fixture for Portsmouth could be in the South Coast Derby against Southampton. The bitter rivals are set to meet in a league fixture for the first time in over a decade.