After lifting the League One crown and securing their place back in the Championship at the end of last season, the Blues immediately got down to work on what the make-up of their first-team options would look like for life back in the second tier.
And, as we all know, Pompey were ruthless in their decision-making as they parted company will some established Fratton favourites and cut short stays of players who simply weren’t good enough to cut it at a higher level.
In all, 14 players were shown the exit, with 15 brought in the other way to ensure the Blues would be a competitive force in the Championship. That saw sporting director Rich Hughes and his team scour Europe and further afield for quality recruits. It saw the Blues splash the cash on seven new arrivals. It also saw Pompey act quickly in picking up in-demand free agents, with Josh Murphy one of the most sought-after freebies following his heroics for Oxford in the League One play-off final.
That pursuit of additional quality took Pompey right down to the wire, with Fulham centre-back Ibane Bowat signed for a reported £500,000 deal on deadline day. And no doubt head coach John Mousinho will love the opportunity to finally get to work with the majority of his new additions on the training pitch as domestic duties take a break for the start of this season’s international commitments.
There’s a hope we’ll finally see what the Blues truly have up their sleeves for when West Brom visit Fratton Park on Sunday, September 15.
Until then, he’s every bit of senior business Pompey conducted over the summer in order to give them a fighting chance in the Championship.

9. Out - Joe Morrell
Pompey declined a 12-month contract extension they had on the Welsh midfielder at the end of last season. Talks were held over a fresh contract agreement but no deal was struck. Free-agent Morrell remains without a club as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained against Oxford in January. | Getty Images

10. In - Sammy Silvera
The Middlesbrough man was one of the first new arrivals through the doors at Fratton Park this summer. The on-loan forward has featured in four of Pompey's five games in all competitions so far this season but is yet to score or record an assist for his new club. | National World

11. Out - Jack Sparkes
The defender was sold to Peterborough for an undisclosed fee at the end of July - the only departure Pompey received a fee for during the transfer window. Sparkes has started four of Posh's five games to date. Photo: Pete Norton

12. In - Jordan Williams
The right-back was Pompey's first signing of the summer, arriving on a free transfer from Barnsley. The 24-year-old has started all five Blues games to date this season, with his last two appearances coming at centre-back. | National World