"Similarities to the Marlon Pack transfer" - Portsmouth, Matt Ritchie claim made as links surface | OneFootball

FLW's Portsmouth fan pundit has issued his verdict on the club's potential pursuit of Matt Ritchie

John Mousinho has discussed the possibility of Portsmouth signing Matt Ritchie this summer.

According to The News, a move for the 34-year-old is being considered by the newly-promoted club.

Pompey gained promotion to the Championship by clinching the League One title last year with 97 points.

Jordan Williams has already been added to the squad, as Mousinho looks to strengthen his squad for life in the second tier.

Ritchie is available as a free agent following his departure from Newcastle United at the end of his contract.

Portsmouth Ritchie deal is unlikely

FLW’s Portsmouth fan pundit Miltos Ioannidis believes a move for Ritchie could be a good idea, comparing his potential impact to Marlon Pack.

However, he is sceptical as to whether Pompey will be able to convince the Scotland international to make the switch back to Fratton Park.

“I don’t think it would be a horrible idea, nor would I ever be against bringing someone like Matt to Portsmouth,” Ioannidis told Football League World.

“I think that if a transfer like this were to happen it would have a lot of similarities to the Marlon Pack transfer a couple of years ago when Pack dropped down a division when he had other offers from the Championship.

“He provided the team with some much-needed experience, helped the young players out, and I think that now Matt Ritchie, I just cannot see a world where he would be totally aligned with the way the club is operating right now.

“I wouldn’t be overly fussed if a transfer like that was to happen, and again he could provide young players like Paddy Lane with much-needed experience and leadership.

“But I just cannot see a world where Portsmouth would be overly keen to get someone like Matt into the club, but you never know.

“I think John Mousinho had tried to bin some of these rumours a couple of months ago, when the whole Matt Ritchie leaving Newcastle news had just broken, and now it’s resurfacing again.

“We will just have to wait and see on that one, but my gut feeling is that I just cannot really see a world where Matt Ritchie comes to Portsmouth.”

Matt Ritchie's importance to Newcastle

Ritchie came through the ranks of the Portsmouth academy system before moving away from the club in 2011.

He has spent the last eight years at Newcastle, joining the Magpies after their relegation to the Championship in 2016.

While he was an important player in the squad for the first few years of his time at St. James’ Park, his game time waned in the last couple of seasons.

He made 13 league appearances in the last campaign, all of which came as a substitute (all stats from Fbref).

Matt Ritchie move would be interesting for Portsmouth

Ritchie isn’t quite what he used to be now that he is entering the final few years of his career, but he could still offer plenty to a Championship side.

If Portsmouth could convince him to make a return to the club, then it would be a solid addition to their attacking options.

It has been reported that Watford are also interested in the winger, who will likely be able to offer a more lucrative deal.