Assistant boss explains Portsmouth's hunt for a left-footed centre-back

Joe Gallen believes the left-footed centre-back Pompey covet would provide added attacking fluency.
Pompey assistant boss Joe Gallen. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey assistant boss Joe Gallen. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey assistant boss Joe Gallen. Picture: Joe Pepler

But the assistant boss conceded the Blues’ hunt may prove fruitless given that attribute is so difficult to come by.

A central defender who is naturally left-footed is high on Kenny Jackett’s shopping list this summer as he plots another League One promotion push.

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Pompey haven’t had that type of player since Matt Clarke departed for Brighton more than a year ago.

Clarke was a natural on the left-hand side of central defence and was often able to start swift counter-attacks.

That’s something Jackett's side lacked last season as they suffered play-off defeat to Oxford and are keen to reinstall that quality to their ranks.

However, Gallen admitted the Blues will sign the best centre-half available – even if he is right-footed.

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‘We would like that (a left-footed centre-back), but there aren't many of them so you end up trying to take the best player that you can,’ he said.

Sean Raggett is currently Pompey's left-sided centre-back. Picture: Jason BrownSean Raggett is currently Pompey's left-sided centre-back. Picture: Jason Brown
Sean Raggett is currently Pompey's left-sided centre-back. Picture: Jason Brown

‘But it would be great if that player was left-footed.

‘It would help the balance of our team defensively and allow us to counter-attack quicker. Distribution would be better and it would help.

‘But there are so few options so you end up trying to take the best player.’

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Jackett’s considering whether to push the former Norwich man to the right-hand side, though, which would be a more natural fit for him.

But Gallen explained Raggett’s played on the left for the majority of his career so a decision is yet to be set in stone.

He added: ‘Playing Sean on the right is an option but it would only become an option if a left-sided player comes in.

‘If you speak to Sean, he's always played on the left-hand side and is more comfortable than he is on the right.

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‘He wants to play on the left-hand side but then it would be an option and a decision for Kenny to make if we were able to get a left-footed player.

‘Kenny would have a decision to make whether to push Sean across, but Sean he is happy to play on the left.’

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