Destined for Premier League: Regan Poole on why impressive Portsmouth team-mate will reach 'the top'
The talented youngster made 40 appearances this season, while finished as second-top scorer with five goals
Pompey favourite Terry Devlin is destined for the Premier League.
That’s the verdict of team-mate Regan Poole, who has applauded the rapid development of the Northern Ireland international this season.
The 22-year-old, who hadn’t even started a league game this term before November’s visit of Wrexham, collected all 17 end-of-season awards on offer following a stunning year.
Among his honours was the Players’ Player of the Season, with Poole having voted for the right-back - and clearly he was far from alone.
Certainly the centre-half is well placed to judge Devlin’s development, having both arrived at Fratton Park in the summer of 2023 ahead of what would prove to be a League One title-winning campaign.
And Poole has lauded the flourishing progress of the talented Irishman.
‘I think he can go to the top’
He told The News: ‘I voted for Terry, he has been the best player on the pitch. I think every player in the dressing room probably voted for him.
‘He has been brilliant this season. In my career, I have never seen such quick progression in a young player. He has gone from strength to strength and is so dedicated, he wants to get better and he wants to improve.
‘He’s always in the gym and he wants to get better every day. The best thing that happened to him was going to right-back, it suits him a lot more, and he has dealt with some of the best wingers in the Championship this season.
‘Terry’s had a really quick progression in terms of adapting to the league and its physicality, so credit where it’s due, he definitely deserves all those player of the season awards.
‘He is strong, aggressive, good in the air and on the ball in possession has now turned the corner, while adding goals to his game. He has been brilliant this season and I love playing beside him.
‘He came to Pompey the same summer as me, so I know where he was when he joined and where he is now. I think he can go to the top. I don’t want to put any pressure on Terry, but he could play in the Premier League, the top level.
‘We can see how quickly he’s progressing and how willing he is to get better. If he keeps going the way he’s going, the only way is up.’
One start in 2025-26 season before November 5
Before the November 5 clash with Wrexham at Fratton Park, Devlin had started just one match this season - a Carabao Cup fixture against Reading.
That August game saw him line up on the right wing, although the Irishman remained an ever-present in every squad, albeit almost exclusively on the bench.
Still, following the 4-0 hammering at Birmingham, Mousinho rang the changes, including handing Devlin a start at right-back against the Red Dragons in a goalless draw.
By the end of the campaign, he had swept the individual honours, including The News/Sports Mail Player of the Season and Goal of the Season.
While in the January transfer window, the 22-year-old was the subject of a £2m bid from Wrexham, which was rejected by the Blues.
‘He has probably surprised himself by the way he has progressed’
Poole added: ‘Terry would have been disappointed to not have started the season, but you’ve got three right-backs in the building that are really good, really good players. So for him to stay in the team, you have to play well.
‘He has probably surprised himself at the way he has progressed and the way he has been this season, but it doesn't surprise me to be honest.
‘This is a lad going from strength to strength and heading to the top.’