Kenny Jackett explains why Portsmouth are yet to open contract talks with Christian Burgess

Pompey are still to open contract talks with Christian Burgess.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Despite a new deal announced for Ronan Curtis at the weekend, Kenny Jackett has revealed negotiations are currently not taking place with Burgess.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That presently affects eight players whose deals expire this summer, including Burgess.

Irish winger Curtis was initially in a similar position, but has now signed a fresh contract until the summer of 2023 – reward for his scintillating first-team form.

For Pompey’s popular central defender, however, there has not been a loosening of the policy.

Jackett said: ‘There is nothing cast in stone, we deal with every situation individually.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘I have said during the course of the season we wanted to get some team spirit, pull people together, concentrate on the football and just work out team dynamics.

Talks have yet to begin over a potential new deal for Christian Burgess. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.comTalks have yet to begin over a potential new deal for Christian Burgess. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com
Talks have yet to begin over a potential new deal for Christian Burgess. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com

‘Contractual situations are very much individual and we will deal with it in that light.

‘We are not talking with Christian at the moment, we are concentrating on Tranmere, Coventry, there are games coming up thick and fast.

‘I have been pleased with Christian, definitely, but it’s not a situation we are looking at right now.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Burgess marked his 200th Pompey appearance by netting in last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland.

He has been in exceptional form this season, including scoring in three consecutive Saturday fixtures.

At present, though, he must wait to discover whether he possesses a south-coast future.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jackett added: ‘What you have to do when looking at contractual situations is what was said when you signed? What were the discussions when you signed the last contract? That is why it becomes an individual process.

‘Some you might leave right to the end because that’s where it is. Whereas other ones may just be coming into the building and then you reassess within a year or 18 months because they have broken through into the first-team and become a regular.

‘That is where it is with Ronan.’

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.