The Portsmouth midfielder who now requires another coming-of-age performance

A stand-out display in a rip-roaring 3-2 victory pointed towards him being the latest academy graduate whose career would only take one trajectory.

After starting Kenny Jackett's reign as Pompey boss behind fellow youth product Adam May, Close had plucked away when coming off the bench to win a starting spot in central midfield.

On the back of numerous encouraging performances, it was against Blackpool when he truly came to the fore.

Close was man of the match and still would have been despite scoring his maiden Blues goal.

He knitted everything together immaculately in the engine room, with his saved shot also leading to Brett Pitman’s opener.

But when Close returned to the Fylde coast on Tuesday evening, there wouldn't have been too many in the away end in November 2017 who'd have predicted he'd be in his position now,

The Southsea midfielder finds himself out of favour at PO4 and battling to once again establish himself.

In the 1-0 loss at Blackpool on Tuesday night, Close came on as a 60th-minute substitute when the game was still goalless.

With a lot of the affair being battled out in the middle of the park, it was understandable why Jackett introduced him for Cannon, who'd suffered somewhat of an off-day.

Close's composure in the engine room was designed to give Pompey more of a foothold, more possession that'd allow them to attack with a greater threat after what had been a blunt effort until that point.

However, the 24-year-old struggled to influence things. In fairness, a switch to use Ellis Harrison as a focal point meant the middle third was often bypassed but, even still, Close’s involvement wasn’t how he’d have liked.

It wasn’t too long ago that there were fears Championship clubs would start sniffing around Close.

Adding goals, particularly from long range, was another attribute he could boast along with his possession-based style. Monikers of Pompey Piro, Pompey Xavi and Pompey Iniesta were bandied about frequently.

What perhaps was missing was some dynamism, having the ability to run beyond the play at times rather than come towards the ball and help build it up. But with age on his side, there was always a good chance that would develop.

Things have never been plaining sailing for Close. Competition is what he’s become accustomed to.

He fell out of favour during Ben Thompson’s scintillating loan spell in the 2018-19 season before netting eight times in 20 games when the Millwall man returned to his parent club. An emphatic response.

Then Ross McCrorie arrived as one of Scotland’s hottest prospects last summer. Yet Close confined the majority of the on-loan Rangers man’s outings to a right-back role instead.

And after being dropped from the play-off squads against Oxford, with Bryn Morris recalled after a 14-month absence, Close was determined to fight his way back into Jackett’s plans.

But, as things stand, the former Priory School pupil has featured just 10 times this term, with a solitary League One start to his name.

The switch to a 4-4-2 formation has meant there’s one fewer midfield role in the starting XI, with Cannon and Tom Naylor establishing themselves as Jackett’s preferred duo.

With Pompey failing to land Thompson’s return late in the summer window, it suggests that a central midfielder could be high up the manager’s shopping list when January comes around.

That, therefore, could push Close further down the pecking order and limited his game-time further.

With seven games remaining before the winter window opens, there remains ample opportunity for Close to recapture his sparkle he's quite clearly capable of.

But a similar coming-of-age performance to that one at Bloomfield Road three years ago is required.