Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho does not expect three on-loan players to depart Fratton Park in the January transfer window.
Forwards Tino Anjorin and Abu Kamara, as well as midfielder Alex Robertson, joined Pompey this summer as Mousinho looked to push for promotion following an 8th-place finish in the 2022/23 campaign.
The winter transfer window will allow for their parent clubs, Chelsea, Norwich City and Manchester City respectively, to recall the players halfway through their loan deals.
Nonetheless, the Pompey boss is confident that none of the three will depart before the end of their loan deals.
He informed Portsmouth News: “I’m very, very pleased with all three and naturally there’s going to be some interest in January.
“The reason I make that point is this is a great place for them to develop, to keep learning, and to have another half a season where they can excel again.
“So far, there has been no indication of any of them being recalled and I am confident with the situation at the moment. We have good communication with all the clubs, I’m sure we would get plenty of notice.”
Combined, they have contributed six goal involvements across Portsmouth‘s League One season. Kamara leads the way with a goal and two assists.
Mousinho praised the efforts of the three loanees, adding: “In my eyes, Alex Robertson has really excelled on his second loan, he has been excellent, filled different positions, and is a real bright spark this season.
“Tino was just coming into it, he scored against Reading, was a really good performer in the first half against Chesterfield, and hopefully the club is pleased with his progress.
“Abu has far exceeded where we thought he might be, he’s had to fill in an unfamiliar position and, in a lot of those games, has got goals and assists. He’s looked a real threat and done a really good job playing on the left.”
The three clubs the players arrived from have had less than ideal starts to their Premier League 2 seasons, especially Robertson’s Man City side.
The Citizens have been struggling, with only one win to their name this season and languishing in 21st place in the table. Chelsea and the Canaries both sit inside the top 16 teams in Division 1.
The 37-year-old head coach stated that if any were likely to leave, it would be Kamara. “‘Maybe one thing that slightly protects us is we have two lads at Premier League clubs and the likelihood is they are probably not going to get recalled.
“Should Chelsea and Manchester City recall those two and put them into their first-teams, it would be brilliant from our perspective because we have done our job. We’ll see how that goes.
“With Abu and Norwich’s situation, maybe that’s something they are considering, but we keep in close contact with them and they haven’t indicated anything so far.
“It’s out of our control, but part of that is a contingency plan which makes sure we are covered – and we do that for every position.”
Writer’s View
It would be unwise for any of the clubs to recall their loanees back from Portsmouth. Anjorin and Robertson would not get on the pitch at their parent clubs right now, whilst Norwich have enough forwards and bringing Kamara back to Carrow Road would stunt his development. Keeping them in a strong Pompey side, currently topping the third division, will do wonders for them and should see Championship suitors when it comes to next season.
Robertson in particular has been a shining star in the heart of the midfield. He has created 15 chances so far this season, near the top within the first team. His 83% pass accuracy is below both Joe Morrell and Marlon Pack, but being only 20, the young Aussie has lots of potential to grow. His Player of the Match performance against Wigan Athletic is a great sign of things to come in the second half of the season.
