'Not a huge amount we can do': Portsmouth boss' blunt admission over Fratton Park's forgotten man
The Frenchman’s last Blues appearance was three months ago
John Mousinho reflected on Pompey’s forgotten man’s three-month absence and admitted: ‘There’s not a huge amount we can do’.
Florian Bianchini hasn’t been included in a Blues squad since November 29, with an ongoing issue of tendinitis in the winger’s knee keeping him on the sidelines.
Indeed, speaking this afternoon, Mousinho still has absolutely no idea when the Swansea loanee will be back in action.
The Frenchman’s Fratton Park spell has been hugely disappointing since his July arrival, culminating in not even being registered for their latest 25-man Football League squad.
Under terms of the loan arrangement, Pompey were unable to return Bianchini to his parent club in January, thereby thwarting any preference to cut his unsuccessful stay short.
And Mousinho cannot even pinpoint a timeframe for when the 24-year-old can be considered for first-team action.
‘Unfortunately, there’s no timeframe’
He told The News: ‘Flo is still struggling with the tendonitis on his knee, there’s still a lot of pain there. It’s one we are not able to get on top of.
‘It’s one of those things, it doesn’t just necessarily just go away. There are days when he’s much better and out on the grass - and days when he struggles to get himself going.
‘There's not a huge amount we can do about it and he’s with us being treated at the moment. Unfortunately there’s no timeframe, we’re just seeing how it is day to day, week to week.
‘It’s the nature of the injury unfortunately. It’s massively frustrating, massively, we want him back in, we want as many players available as possible.’
Last played on November 26
Bianchini’s last match-day involvement was as an unused substitute against Bristol City at the end of November.
He has subsequently missed the last 16 matches, including the trip to Swansea in December when he was unable to face his parent club under terms of the loan.
The Frenchman was signed by the Swans on a four-year deal from Ligue 2 side Bastia in August 2024 for a reported £2m transfer fee, with much expected.
After failing to make an impact, Bianchini joined Pompey on the eve of the season and subsequently started four of their opening six Championship matches - alternating between the right and left wings.
However, after a 2-0 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in September, when he was particularly wasteful in possession on the left flank, he was soon relegated to the bench.
Bianchini would then start just two of the Blues’ next 12 matches - until his knee injury flared up 12 weeks ago to keep him out of the action.
Pompey haven’t ruled out still registering the attacker, with one space left in their 25-man squad, yet the feeling is he won’t be considered for playing duty again this season.
Mousinho added: ‘Obviously Flo wants to get back in and play, but he has been out a long, long time with that injury.
‘He’s not moping around, he’s trying to get on with it, but it’s frustrating from day to day.’