Former Brighton and England coach gives verdict on Alex Cochrane's potential move to Portsmouth

Former Blues Academy coach Mikey Harris has backed the Brighton left-back to thrive should he move to Fratton Park.

Cochrane is understood to be on Kenny Jackett's radar ahead of a possible loan switch for the upcoming season.

The England under-20 international is admired by Pompey’s head of recruitment Phil Boardman, with the left-side of defence an area that needs strengthening this summer.

Cochrane’s also below the age of 21, which means he'd be exempt from the salary cap expected to be introduced to League One.

Harris worked with Cochrane in the Seagulls’ youth ranks after departing the Blues in November 2017.

And the ex-Salisbury boss, who’s now part of the England youth coaching set-up, believes the youngster would be a superb signing.

Harris told The News: ‘Alex has got a lovely left foot and is very comfortable at left-back, but can also play central midfield.

‘He is very versatile and played left-wing for a spell on his first-team debut against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup in September.

‘He’s an intelligent footballer and has real quality with his delivery. Alex is consistent and an excellent professional who’s really progressed over the past few years into quite a prospect – he would be a great addition to the squad.

‘Alex is physically very capable and is a level-headed lad so won’t be fazed by a lot.

‘He’s captained the under-23s as a young lad so the manager, Simon Rusk, has seen leadership qualities, which is great.

‘He was also captain of the under-18s when I was there so as a young lad, he leads by example on and off the pitch.

‘He got called up to the England under-20 squad in a very strong age group so it’s a real achievement.’

Cochrane has had limited exposure to senior football.

He’s played just once for Brighton, as well as making five appearances for their under-21s in the Leasing.com Trophy.

However, Harris is confident Cochrane could cope with the demands of League One.

He added: ‘I think he would be ready for regular senior football. As an individual, every challenge he’s been presented he’s always stepped up.

‘I think he’d thrive given the opportunity. Every young lad is looking for that and an opportunity to play for a club like Pompey is their dream.

‘With any young player, you can always say there’s a risk and they’re unproven.

‘The reality is that until those players get given the opportunity then you never know what they can do.

‘Look as Mason Greenwood. Manchester United could have thought it’s a risk and he’s not ready but he’s gone into their team and demonstrated he’s capable and is keeping world-class players out of the team.

‘We’ve got fantastic young players in this country and a lot of it comes from the work that’s gone into it.

‘The work that the FA and Premier League have done is starting to bear fruit but it’s about those players at a senior level getting a chance to play regularly.’