Ex-Portsmouth favourite named one of Football League's breakout stars - along with former Blues-linked winger

Since making his senior breakthrough in 2014, Conor Chaplin has been held in the highest regard by Pompey fans. Even after his departure, he’s still loved by supporters.

The striker’s one of the most exciting talents to come through the Blues’ academy in recent years.

He helped Paul Cook’s side clinch the League Two title in 2017, while he departed Fratton Park after netting 25 goals in 122 appearances when he joined Coventry in the summer of 2018.

So it might come as a bit of a surprise to some that, at the age of 23, he’s only just being included in the Guardian’s breakthrough players of the Football League season.

There's no denying that Chaplin has enjoyed a superb campaign in his maiden crack at the Championship representing Barnsley.

After moving to Oakwell from the Sky Blues last summer, the Worthing ace has bagged 12 times for the basement side – including a first senior hat-trick in a 5-3 win over QPR.

Nevertheless, the Fratton faithful have long known of Chaplin’s prowess.

The Guardian report said: ‘With almost 200 games under his belt, Chaplin is not a new kid on the block but the striker has savoured his first taste of the Championship, hitting double figures for the league’s bottom club.

‘Chaplin had doubts over whether he could perform in the second tier but has thrived since Gerhard Struber’s appointment in November; his tally of 12 goals in all competitions is a career best.

‘The 5ft 7in forward burst on to the scene at boyhood club Portsmouth and came close to leaving for Oakwell two years ago before signing for Coventry, only for Barnsley to again come calling last summer.’

Another name on the list that Pompey fans may be familiar with is Randell Williams.

The Blues were linked with a move for the winger during last season’s January transfer window along with Brentford and Bristol City.

However, he moved to Exeter on a free transfer from Watford and has thrived.

When Jackett’s men faced the Grecians in the Leasing.com Trophy semi-final in February, Williams was introduced as a second-half substitute.

He wreaked havoc down the right and almost led the Devon outfit to a huge upset.

John Marquis’ stoppage-time winner ensured Pompey clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory to seal their return to Wembley.

However, home fans were still waxing lyrical about the impact that Williams had at full-time.

This season, the 23-year-old has impressively registered five goals and 14 assists during Exeter’s League Two promotion push.