John Mousinho identifies Portsmouth’s new Callum Lang in big billing
John Mousinho can see the summer Pompey signing making a similar impact to a big former Fratton favourite.
John Mousinho has pinpointed the man he believes can become Pompey’s next Callum Lang.
The Blues boss has highlighted the emerging talent he believes has the potential to be his ‘running 10’ and impact the Championship with high-energy performances.
Mousinho on Kenny: ‘Similar qualities to someone like Langy’
Mousinho has identified summer capture Eoin Kenny as a signing who can influence his team from a central attacking role moving forward.
The arrival from League of Ireland side Dundalk is currently going through a bedding-in period at Fratton Park, as the 20-year-old settles into his new surroundings.
That’s seen Kenny limited to a couple of substitute outings so far, after regular involvement throughout Pompey’s pre-season campaign.
The attacker has mainly been utilised out wide, though the man who has been called up to the full Northern Ireland squad often has played as a central striker.
Mousinho has now offered his insight into how he sees Kenny progressing in his time at Fratton Park after signing a three-year deal.
And the Pompey boss sees his player making a mark as a number 10 player who can use his energy and intensity to cause havoc among opposing defences.
That’s something Lang did memorably in his two years at PO4, before Preston North End paid a club-record fee to take him to Deepdale.
Mousinho certainly see similarities between the pair in terms of what they offer.
He said: ‘The 10 role is probably where I can see Eoin at some point in his development in the future.
‘I think he’s a really good running 10, who we’ve used out wide firstly because of that adaptation to the pace of the game and how difficult it can be to operate in those pockets.
‘I actually think Eoin can play across the front line, but going forward longer term I think he’s going to be really good running 10 - with similar qualities to someone like Langy.’
Kenny is hoping to continue his rise tonight following his maiden Northern Ireland call-up, with his country facing Ukraine at home in the Nations League.
They then go to Hungary on Tuesday in their final Group F fixtures, with the Pompey man hoping for minutes on the pitch.
Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill believes Kenny can bring something different to the table for his group.
He said to UTV: ‘He’s a young player that we've had in the under-21s, O’Neill told UTV.
‘He had a good campaign with Tommy Wright, and obviously had a cross-channel move in the summer from Dundalk to Portsmouth where he's been around the first team.
‘He's been on the bench, he's had some minutes off the bench and I just wanted to bring a young player in that we have high hopes for.
‘He can take that next step. and (I wanted to) get the chance to work with him.
‘Obviously, the next time we'll be together is March, and we thought it was a good opportunity to bring Eoin in.
‘We've seen him (at Pompey), but I went to the under-21s game against Greece after we played Georgia here last month.
‘I thought it was a tough game. Greece were a good side at that level, and I thought he showed up well.
‘He's mobile, he's got good physique, he's strong. He might just give us something a little bit different in the attacking areas of the pitch.’
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