£2.1m Portsmouth midfielder shines on return to world stage after international controversy

Rocco Shein was a standout performer for Estonia in the Nations League on his return to the national side.

The midfielder was back in the fray for Jurgen Henn’s side after clear-the-air talks took place between the Pompey man and the head coach before being handed a recall to the side.

The 23-year-old was, of course, at the centre of controversy in his homeland after making himself unavailable for selection during the October international break.

Henn also expressed his disappointment before Shein released a statement saying he was managing workloads and was also focused on establishing himself in John Mousinho’s Championship side.

Although the £2.1m man has featured just twice for Pompey since, he returned to the Estonia fold in style, playing an influential role in their 1-0 win over Luxembourg on Saturday.

The former Fredrikstad man grabbed the assist for Maksim Paskotsi’s 42nd-minute effort in their Nations League showdown, with the victory securing at least a place in the Nations League B play-offs for Henn’s side.

Pompey man returns to international fold in style

And with the recent controversy now firmly behind him, Shein was delighted to mark his return to the national side with a strong performance and a win.

Speaking after the game, the Pompey man said: ‘I think we played very well. In the first half we completely pressed them, we created chances ourselves and overall the picture was very nice.

‘I think everyone is very satisfied with this game and the win is the cherry on top. It was very good to play, I felt very well.

‘The whole team played well and when the whole team plays well, you feel even better on the pitch. Applause and hats off to everyone, it was a very good performance from us.

‘We focus on the next game, we still have to beat Bulgaria and we are going to win the group: what happens in the other game, we don’t know.’

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Rocco Shein’s frustrating Pompey start after £2.1m switch

It’s been a frustrating start to life at Fratton Park for Shein, who has struggled for regular minutes in the Championship.

The midfielder has featured seven times for the Blues in all competitions since his multi-million pound capture in July, but has amassed just two appearances in the previous eight matches.

His impressive Nations League showing, though, will no doubt provide the 23-year-old a much-needed confidence boost ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Bolton Wanderers.

Shein could come in for his first start in four games, with Ebou Adams suspended and Iyad Mohamed currently sidelined through injury.

The Blues are hopeful the Comoros international could return from a minor calf problem after the international break.

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