Portsmouth boss’ Michail Antonio transfer admission as former West Ham United man’s eyed by Charlton Athletic
Pompey fans have called for a move for out-of-contract striker Michail Antonio, who is also being trailed by Charlton Athletic. Blues boss John Mousinho responds.
John Mousinho has admitted Pompey weighed up a free transfer move for striker Michail Antonio.
But the Blues boss felt the former West Ham United striker wasn’t the right ‘profile’ for his side, as he searches for a new club following a near-fatal car crash.
Pompey boss responds to call for Michail Antonio move
Antonio stated he felt he almost lost his life following the Essex car crash in December 2024, which left the 35-year-old’s femur shattered in four places.
The Londoner recovered to play for Jamaica at the Concacaf Gold Cup last year and has trained with Leicester City and most recently Charlton Athletic, as he considers his next move.
There’s been talks with the Addicks and Qatar outfit Al-Sailiya, which has put the front man on the radar of some Pompey fans.
They have questioned why Antonio isn’t being considered by their club with striking injuries and Colby Bishop struggling for goals for much of the season.
Mousinho revealed the former Nottingham Forest man was weighed up, however, with the football operation deciding not to make a move for the powerful veteran.
He said: ‘Without being harsh on anyone like that, I think physically having been in a really serious car accident bringing in a fantastic Premier League player like that, who is one we flagged and we looked at, we didn’t think it was the right profile to necessarily bring in.
‘There wasn’t a huge amount else in that market who we felt could come in and affect the starting XI or squad. I guess that’s the take.’
Pompey have moved in the free agent market in each of the past two seasons, with first midfielder Lee Evans brought in before Swedish defender Alexander Milosevic arrived last term.
Pompey boss on free agents: ‘If you’ve been out of game it’s very difficult’
Mousinho feels both of those players underline the challenges associated with bringing free agents in during the campaign.
He added: ‘It’s very difficult to pick up free agents who you think can come in and affect the Championship, at this stage of the season.
‘We have done it in the past. We did it with Lee Evans and had a bit of success there.
‘I think when we signed Lee it took him another three or four months (to get up to speed).
‘I think he had an outstanding season last with Blackpool. He was good with us, but I think we helped him get back to the levels of physicality needed.
‘He was good with us, but not the Lee Evans levels we knew previously and what he got to last year.
‘Alex was brilliant when we brought him in, a senior pro who was great to have around the place - but we couldn’t get him to the levels required
‘Alex then left and subsequently retired, he was the best option we had on the list. He was a really good player, Swedish international who kept himself in good nick.
‘But if you’ve been out of the game a little while it’s just very, very difficult.’