Pompey verdict delivered on Kamara, Blair & Umeh as 'weak' admission made
· Mark McMahon · 2026-08-07 · nguồn gốc
Portsmouth transfers: Verdict delivered on Abu Kamara, Harvey Blair and Franco Umeh as 'weak' admission made
Pompey’s need for Abu Kamara will be highlighted when they take to the field to face West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Saturday
Wrapping up a deal for Abu Kamara has to be Pompey’s top priority over the remainder of the transfer window.
That’s the verdict of Jordan Cross, who believes the Blues’ current right-wing options aren’t of the standard to take John Mousinho’s side to the next level.
The Pompey writer is also adamant the Fratton Park club need to find moves for Harvey Blair and Franco Umeh as both wingers continue to take up valuable space in the first-team ranks.
Pompey’s depleted wide attacking option
With both former Premier League 2 players Blair and Umeh yet to prove their fitness this summer, and Josh Murphy and Keshi Anderson currently injured, Pompey travel to West Ham on Saturday light of options for their London Stadium debut.
That could see Adrian Segecic deployed out right, again even though his most effective position is through the middle, and Ebou Adams asked to play in the number 10 role.
Rookie Luke Brooke-Smith could also be handed his competitive debut less than two weeks after moving to Fratton Park from Wellington Phoenix.
That’s hardly the scenario head coach John Mousinho would have played out in his mind when Pompey were drawn to play the Hammers on the opening day of the season in the Carabao Cup.
It’s, therefore, imperative that Pompey’s ongoing pursuit of Kamara remains their primary transfer window focus, with Cross also tipping the head coach to get the 23-year-old back to his best after two unproductive years at Hull City.
‘Lack of options out wide’
Speaking on the latest episode of Pompey Talk, which is free to watch in full on Youtube, Cross said the signing of Kamara would be another statement of intent following the arrivals of Rocco Shein and Marko Milovanovic.
‘We're so weak in wide areas with the injuries,’ he said.
‘Murphy's not going to start the season, Keshi’s Anderson (is out). Then there’s Franco Umeh and Harvey Blair, who really need to be looking at moving on one way or the other and getting some football.
‘I don't think Franco Umeh, Harvey Blair necessarily feature in the way that John's looking to improve the squad. I think they need to get out and play some games.
‘So, yes, we look weak in wide areas. As a result, you're now probably going to see Pompey go to West Ham and see Segecic, who we're all desperate to see play in that No10 position, play wide again.
‘You could conceivably see Ebou Adams in that 10 position, when Pompey fans have been a little bit concerned about him being utilised there. But these are the circumstances (Pompey find themselves in) because of the lack of options out wide.
‘So it makes it a really important piece of business to get Abu in, and it's just another really great statement of intent. It'll be the third real statement in that category this summer. I think that's fair to say, with Rocco and our big Serb Marezi.’
‘John’s the one to get Abu really firing’
Cross added successfully negotiating Kamara’s return after a memorable loan spell at Fratton Park in 2023-24 would be an exciting addition irrespective of Pompey’s wing option.
‘I just like it as a piece of business,’ he said.
‘I think Pompey can get Abu going. I think it's a deal that makes sense at the price that we've always anticipated. I think our colleagues in Hull have confirmed that would be around the £2.5m mark.
‘That seems good business and I just think that John's the one to get Abu really firing after a couple of seasons which have been below what he could achieve.
‘I'm really excited by that.. So, yes, because of the situation Pompey are in, he's obviously a clear priority.’