Portsmouth have been linked with a move for Bournemouth striker Christian Saydee, as reported by journalist Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider.
The 21-year-old spent the entirety of last season on loan at Shrewsbury Town, making 35 League One appearances. The striker netted seven goals as well as supplying three assists, helping Salop to a 12th place finish.
Now returning to the Premier League club, it seems as if Saydee has no place in Gary O’Neil’s plans at the Vitality Stadium. Although still under contract with Bournemouth, the striker may still depart this summer in order to play regular first-team football.
The young striker could potentially be moving along the south-coast to League One outfit Portsmouth if Bournemouth do choose to let him go this summer. With quite a few names already ahead of him in the pecking order, as well as potentially not being ready for the Premier League just yet, a move could be beneficial for both player and club.
Who is Christian Saydee?
Originally with Reading in his youth days, Saydee would switch to Bournemouth as an 16-year-old. The Englishman, who also holds citizenship to Liberia, has been with the Cherries for 5 years. He has made just six senior appearances for the club, two of those coming on as a substitute in the Championship. His first loan move saw him join National League side Weymouth who he appeared just three times for. The following season, the striker completed a loan move to League One club Burton Albion, making 18 appearances, the majority off of the bench yet not once being able to find the back of the net. He was on the move yet again last summer, having joined fellow League One side, Shrewsbury on a 12-month loan. Saydee progressed nicely, picking up 10 goal contributions in League One for the Shrews last season, and will be looking to progress those numbers once again.
How would Saydee fit into Portsmouth?
Already with a season and a half in League One under his belt, Saydee is really beginning to start to get to grips with senior football. Although his stats may not be extraordinary, when you compare his time with Shrewsbury to his time at Burton, it is easy to see the progression that he made as a player. Further progress is no doubt due, and he would fit into a Portsmouth side who have ambitions of promotion next season. Saydee would not necessarily be a starter at Fratton Park, mainly down to the incredible season that first-choice striker Colby Bishop had. Bishop pocketed 20 league goals and was directly involved in 39% of Portsmouth’s total goals throughout the season, he is a player who Saydee could learn plenty from, which would only accelerate his progression.
Writer’s view
Saydee is by no means the most consistent striker, but then again he is only 21. With a full season of League One football under his belt, the young striker will come on from that experience and if returning to the league, should come back as an even better player. He wouldn’t start at Portsmouth to begin with, but could certainly challenge throughout the season for a spot, as well as taking chances off of the bench to show his talent. Saydee needs to leave Bournemouth if he is to fulfil his full potential, and Portsmouth could be a good landing spot.
