Portsmouth are the latest beneficiaries of Ipswich Town’s tremendous squad depth. Conor Chaplin has been announced as a loaned-in midfielder and a returning asset at Fratton Park.
The Ipswich Town attacking midfielder was reportedly being lauded as John Mousinho’s latest transfer target. Mike McGrath had announced that Pompey were closing in on a deal for the 28-year-old. Portsmouth took no chances in waiting to announce this deal and have unveiled the attacking midfielder this afternoon.
Chaplin has made 122 appearances in a previous spell at the club and could make a sensational return to Portsmouth on Deadline Day. This spell came between 2014 and 2018, seeing Chaplin score 25 times for Pompey. After a loan and permanent stretch with Coventry City, the midfielder signed for Barnsley and produced some magic moments for the Reds.
In an Ipswich shirt, Chaplin scored 55 times in 174 appearances in the Premier League, Championship and League One. The 28-year-old was an integral part of Kieran McKenna’s back-to-back promotion-achieving side.
So far this summer, Portsmouth have already brought in midfield recruitments: John Swift joined on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion and Luke Le Roux as well as Mark Kosnovszky from abroad. Adrian Segecic signed from Sydney FC and looks to be one of the standout players in the Pompey lineup.
Prior to this announcement, a shot-stopper – Josef Bursik – was announced to delight Portsmouth fans while also slightly teasing them with a few ‘warm-up’ signings prior to the window shutting. Mousinho had some glowing words on what it meant to reunite Chaplin with Pompey after so long away from the club and a post-deadline interview:
“I’m sure that Conor doesn’t really need any introduction to the Pompey faithful.
“This is a deal that I know everyone’s going to be excited about and we’re grateful to Ipswich for loaning him to us.
“We’re delighted to bring in someone who’s a proven Championship goalscorer and was part of a side that recently enjoyed an outstanding season at this level.
“With the fact that he’s at the prime of his career – along with the history he has here – it’s a brilliant signing for us.”
Writer’s View
This is an exceptional reunion for Portsmouth, with Chaplin being a key member of their squad for four years prior to a Coventry switch. At Ipswich, Chaplin has cemented himself as a crucial performer across multiple divisions and will hugely bolster the EFL side’s attacking prospects.
Chaplin may dangerously compliment the likes of Segecic and Josh Murphy in an attack-minded Portsmouth squad. Mousinho is building a team that can look to solidify themselves as a definite Championship outfit.
