How Gareth Evans feels about Portsmouth signing Conor Chaplin | OneFootball

Gareth Evans doesn't want to see Portsmouth sign Conor Chaplin permanently this summer

The future of Conor Chaplin is still unknown, after it was announced that he would be departing Ipswich Town at the culmination of his contract this summer.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder played an integral part in Ipswich's rise from League One to the Premier League in consecutive seasons, winning the third-tier golden boot in the 2022/23 campaign.

His importance was reflected in the fact that he remained at Portman Road throughout the entirety of their recent year-long stay in the top flight, but upon the Tractor Boys' return to the Championship this past season, his future lay elsewhere.

A return to Portsmouth, the club he came through the academy at, didn't see him return to his former goalscoring ways, netting just twice in 36 games as Pompey once again managed to just stay above the drop.

But, with Chaplin set to be available on a free transfer this summer, some critics have touted Fratton Park as a permanent home once more for the 29-year-old, given his connections with the club. And, if he could return to the form exhibited during Ipswich's rise, he could be integral to John Mousinho's side becoming a more established mid-table Championship club.

Gareth Evans warns Portsmouth about a permanent Conor Chaplin move

Former Portsmouth midfielder Gareth Evans doesn't think that Pompey should pursue a permanent move for Chaplin, though.

The 38-year-old, who played the majority of his professional career at Fratton Park, spent five years there between 2015 and 2020. Crucially, those years overlapped with the three seasons that Chaplin spent in the first team before his 2018 switch to Coventry City.

Speaking to the News, Evans' warning isn't anything personal to Chaplin; he just believes that the direction that Pompey are headed in doesn't align with the 29-year-old's playstyle.

"I love Chappers. He's a good mate. I've played a lot of football with him, and I speak to him now on a regular basis. But I wouldn't sign him, no," he admitted.

"That's not me being harsh on Conor Chaplin. I think he's a great lad, and he's put absolutely everything into the football club.

"I just don't think where Portsmouth is at this moment suits Conor Chaplin. I think Pompey, for the majority of the time they've been in the Championship the last couple of seasons, the game plan they've had to employ just hasn't suited Conor."

Pompey have had to approach games as the underdog over the past couple of seasons, suffering without the ball and looking to hit teams on the counter. Evans feels that Chaplin should be searching for a more possession-heavy style in his next club this summer.

"Away from home, it's very much a low block and try to hit teams on the counter attack. Even at home at times, it's been a mid-block where you try and turn the ball over, get it out wide and get balls into the box," he continued.

"That's pretty much been part of the game plan for Pompey, and that sort of football just doesn't suit Chaplin. We saw how productive he was playing at Ipswich in a possession-based team that dominates the ball, and he can find pockets of space.

"Those patterns of play don't tend to happen at Pompey with where the football club is at."

Conor Chaplin signing could be a sign of a change in style at Portsmouth

Portsmouth have had to adapt from being one of the top sides in League One to now being an underdog in the Championship, but the club can't just remain that way forever; they'll need to start improving to the point where they can be an established force in the second tier.

John Mousinho has shown in the third tier that he can coach sides to be ball-dominant. In the season that they won League One, they averaged the third-highest possession, created the second-most expected goals and big chances and had the third most touches in the opposition's box.

Perhaps that's the style of play that Mousinho wants to implement at Fratton Park in the Championship; he just needs the players to be able to do it.

The Pompey boss has spoken out about his desire to see the club's ownership back the team financially and push them forward, not to be involved in relegation battles year upon year, and with that backing, the 40-year-old could implement a more possession-focused style.

If the club do pursue Chaplin this summer, it could be an indication that they are ready to set up in a different way next season with a system that would benefit the 29-year-old more.