Portsmouth boss excited at challenge of unlocking Andre Green's talent

 

The Pompey boss believes the new loan arrival from Aston Villa has the ability to be a huge hit at Fratton Park this season.

And Jackett has spoken of his excitement at being the man tasked with getting the best out of the 20-year-old's ability, after he agreed his season-long loan stay.

 

Jackett said: '˜He's a player we've followed and I've seen a lot when I was in the midlands. He's a real, good talent we're looking forward to working with.

'˜If we can we want to harness and unlock that talent this season, because he could be a real asset for Portsmouth.

'˜As a manager I'm looking forward to unlocking that potential, because the potential is definitely there.

'˜He was someone I felt would be a good addition and someone as a manager I'd like to work with.

'˜So I'm pleased to get it over the line.'

Jackett told how Pompey moved quickly to complete a deal for the England age-group international after it became clear an opportunity was presenting itself.

 

That led to Green picking PO4 as his destination over a quartet of Championship clubs '“ Ipswich, Norwich, Blackburn and Bolton.

The Pompey boss added: '˜Our head of recruitment, Phil Boardman, has been watching, pursuing and making enquiries.

'˜They have a loan manager at Aston Villa who is  someone we've kept in touch with, to see what the situation was.

'˜What prompted the enquiry was they signed two fresh forward players, adding to Grealish, Adomah, Elmohamady and a lot of guys in that area who can compete for the front three or four places.

'˜When we saw that building up we thought it was worth following up on.'

Green is looking to put a troublesome hamstring injury behind him which hindered his Villa progress last season.

 

The Solihull talent has got a full pre-season under his belt, however, and picked up five games this term, before showing enthusiasm for a Pompey move.

Jackett said: '˜Meeting him, speaking to him and his agent showed us how keen he was to come.

'˜A lack of game time at Villa in the future wasn't what he wanted, so he was very keen to come and have a loan and  one he's excited about.

'˜There has been interest in him and clubs are watching how signings affect who a club might release. That was the case here.

'˜I think he can play off the striker down the middle. That's probably his best position. He's also comfortable wide left.

'˜In a 4-2-3-1 formation, what we are playing currently, I'd say he could play 11 or 10.

'˜He's done all of pre-season and featured in a number of Championship games already. So we're happy he's okay.

'˜He comes across as a humble type of lad who wants to work hard for the club and the group, which is always a good start.

'˜It's good the games come thick and fast for him, because his involvement will be able to start immediately.'