Portsmouth boss John Mousinho admits squad concerns as he pinpoints transfer 'priority'
Two of the Blues’ three summer signings to date have been central midfielders
Pompey’s transfer focus remains fixed on the centre of midfield, irrespective of Rocco Shein’s £2m arrival.
John Mousinho has revealed recruiting a new number six ahead of the 2026-27 season is where Pompey are ‘prioritising’ at present.
The Blues remain short of options in the middle of the park, despite two of their three summer signings to date being central midfielders.
Estonian international Shein, who featured for the first time in England during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers, is regarded as a number eight by Mousinho.
Likewise, Odin Bailey, a free transfer recruit from Stockport, is also considered as a more attacking central option, having formerly been a winger at Championship level earlier in his career.
In addition, Ebou Adams is considered as an eight and, infamously, was even employed as a number 10 against QPR in March, while John Swift is another more forward-thinking player.
And with a genuine defensive midfielder in Marlon Pack having undergone a knee operation and Pompey exploring an exit for Luke Le Roux, there’s currently a glaring hole in the squad.
‘That’s really where we are prioritising’
Mousinho told The News: ‘The middle of the park is the biggest thing for us at the minute.
‘We’ve signed Rocco, he’s much more of an eight, but in terms of finding a six that’s really where we are prioritising.
‘Marlon is injured, we have spoken about Luke and maybe trying to get him some game time elsewhere, that is something all parties are aligned with.
‘With Luke potentially going out and Marlon injured we don’t have a recognised six there.’
Adams on comeback trial at Wycombe
Adams was expected to finally return to full Pompey training this week, having continued to be troubled by the left knee which sustained MCL damage at Loftus Road four months ago
The former Derby man is pencilled in to feature in Saturday’s trip to Wycombe (4pm), although a potential outing in the fourth friendly of the summer will strictly be a cameo off the bench.
Certainly that return will bolster a Blues midfield which will be without Pack for the start of the season, having had knee surgery last week on a long-standing issue which failed to respond to rest, as had been hoped.
It means Mousinho is likely to once again turn to Bailey, Swift, Le Roux, Shein and youngster Chinedu Agu for the centre-midfield positions against this weekend’s League One opponents.
Luke Le Roux available for transfer
Agu was awarded first-year professional terms by Pompey after graduating from the Academy in the summer, having made 22 appearances and scored three times for Sam Hudson’s side last term.
He has since featured in all three of the Blues’ friendlies during the pre-season, alongside fellow former under-18s Michael Ani and Nathaniel Chioma.
Meanwhile, Pompey are hoping to find another club for Le Roux - either permanently or on loan - after deciding to offload the former South African international.
The 26-year-old made just 18 appearances in his first Fratton Park season and is now regarded as surplus to requirements just 12 months following his arrival from Swedish club IFK Varnamo for a fee of around £1m.