Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has made a bold statement regarding the future of Josh Murphy, insisting he would not swap the winger for any other player in the Championship.
Murphy, 30, has been instrumental in Pompey’s campaign this season, contributing seven goals and ten assists since joining from Oxford United. With his contract running until the summer of 2026, Mousinho is adamant that Murphy remains an integral part of the team.
Mousinho’s Strong Support for Murphy
In the wake of speculation regarding Murphy’s future, with clubs potentially circling ahead of the summer, Mousinho made it clear that he rates the winger highly.
“I certainly think he’s right up there with Championship wingers. There are some very, very good wingers operating at this level,” Mousinho told The News. “If you offered me a swap deal for my choice of wingers in this league, I don’t think I would take any. That’s a big statement, but that’s how highly we rate Murph at this football club.”
Murphy’s performances have been key to Portsmouth’s potential survival in the Championship, and Mousinho believes the player is thriving at Fratton Park. “He is extremely happy here,” Mousinho added. “As far as I’m concerned, we have those next seven games to deal with, and Murph is extremely happy. He’s playing the best football of his career, and we want to keep pushing him.”
Mousinho also dismissed any concerns about potential interest from other clubs, stating that if suitors emerge in the summer, it would be a compliment to Murphy’s performances. “There are absolutely no rumours or murmurs about anything at the moment. If it pops up in the summer, it’s a lovely compliment to the work Murph is doing, and we’ll deal with it when the time comes,” Mousinho said.
The Portsmouth boss also highlighted the importance of keeping Murphy’s focus on the remainder of the season. “I think he’s playing the best football of his career, and we want to keep pushing him. He’s 30 now, but I still think there’s plenty more left in the tank,” he added.
Writer’s View
Mousinho’s commitment to Murphy highlights the importance of stability and consistency at Portsmouth. While speculation around the winger’s future is inevitable given his standout performances, the manager’s public backing signals Pompey’s intent to retain their star player. Murphy’s continued form will be crucial for the team as they aim for safety, and Mousinho is keen to ensure that the 30-year-old remains a key figure at Fratton Park.
