2 players that Portsmouth should look to sign before September 1 deadline ft Freddie Potts | OneFootball

2 players Portsmouth should sign before the transfer window closes on September 1st.

Portsmouth have got off to a solid start to the season, with four points from their opening three matches having them sat in the middle of the pack early on.

John Mousinho managed to guide Pompey to safety in the Championship last season, after an extremely poor start to the season which had supporters concerned about whether they would stay afloat in the second tier.

Now those worries about surviving their return to the Championship are gone, the Blues are looking to press on and improve on last season's solid 16th place finish.

It's already been a busy window at Fratton Park, with plenty of new faces such as Josh Knight and Mark Kosznovszky coming through the door, but there are still areas that need strengthening before the window closes on September 1st.

With that in mind, Football League World decided to take a look at two players Portsmouth should look to bring in before the transfer window slams shut next week.

Freddie Potts, West Ham United

A familiar face at Fratton Park, Freddie Potts spent last season on loan with the Blues, after a successful first senior loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers in League One the year before.

Once again, the midfielder became a firm favourite at his loan club, impressing with his composure in the middle of the park and his excellent passing range, which has seen him become very highly-rated by parent club West Ham United.

Potts was handed his long-awaited Premier League debut against Chelsea on Friday as he appeared from the bench, but it's unclear how consistently the 21-year-old will feature for the Irons in the league this season.

With Mousinho's midfield seemingly crying out for an upgrade, a reunion with the West Ham starlet would be the ideal move for the 39-year-old, as he already knows what he's getting should he return.

Pompey could use someone in the engine room to help dictate the tempo of play, break up attacks before they become a threat, and link the play between the defence and the forward line, which is what Potts does best.

Whilst it's likely it'll only be a simple loan deal, bringing the midfielder back to the south coast would serve as a great upgrade on current options Andre Dozzell and John Swift, as well as an opportunity for Potts to further stake a claim on a place at West Ham.

Clayton Taylor, Newcastle Jets

Following an injury sustained to Callum Lang against Norwich City, Mousinho was clear that he wanted to add reinforcements in the wide areas, as Portsmouth currently look rather thin on the ground on the wings.

Over recent transfer windows, Pompey have become rather well-known for their adventures into the Australian market, with players such as Jacob Farrell, Hayden Matthews, Thomas Waddingham and Adrian Segecic all arriving from down under.

Combining their recent exploration of the A-League and the need for a new winger, Mousinho's next Australian import should be Newcastle Jets wide man Clayton Taylor, who is looking for a way out of the club, as he nears the end of his contract.

With seven goals and six assists in 26 A-League appearances to his name in 2024/25, the 21-year-old is a hugely exciting prospect for the Socceroos, and with his contract running down and his desire to leave Newcastle, the Blues could get him on the cheap.

A pacey, direct, and technically-gifted winger - who can also operate centrally - he would certainly suit the mold of a wide player in Mousinho's system, who likes to hug the touchline and unlock deep blocks.

Given their recent success in the Australian market, and the young age of Taylor, this one seems like an absolute no-brainer for Portsmouth, as the potential rewards for signing such an exciting prospect are sky-high.