Portsmouth

Image source, Rex Features

Cohen Bramall is grateful for an "amazing time" with Portsmouth - and says he expects the Blues to challenge for the Championship play-offs next season.

The 29-year-old former Rotherham, Lincoln and Colchester left-back made 12 Championship appearances, four of them starts, after arriving at Fratton Park from the Millers in January on a short-term deal.

The one-time Arsenal youngster told BBC Radio Solent that not being offered a new contract by Pompey had not come as a shock, saying: "It wasn't surprising because of the financial situation and the players already in that position.

"I kind of got told that already before I signed. The reason why I signed is that it's Portsmouth, a massive club, and a bigger platform to play on, and I back myself to perform and show the league, the team, myself and other people what I'm all about.

"I appreciate the gaffer being honest with me. He took a gamble on bringing me in. I am more than grateful to him for giving me the opportunity.

"I went from playing two years in the Championship with Rotherham to not really playing a lot in League One under Steve Evans.

"It doesn't look great, a League One player going to a team in that position in the Championship in January - I am guessing the fans would want a higher standard of player, but the fact they welcomed me and gave me the time of day was amazing and refreshing for my mental state.

"Before I came I wasn't in the greatest of headspaces. It wasn't a good time. Fratton Park brought me back to normal. It brought back so much confidence and knowing how well I can play. I got back to my old self.

"I am at peace. I did the best I could. I might have not been offered a deal but it feels good to have played a part in keeping Portsmouth up."

Bramall says he'll "wait and see" where he ends up next season, though he already has an idea where Pompey may find themselves.

"I think play-offs, and that's not stretching it," he said. "Minimum you're looking at top 10 - we finished so strong at home, if we can tidy up a few things with away performances and be more solid, they can 100% creep into the play-offs.

"It's one of the hardest leagues in the world. My first year at Rotherham we stayed up, second year, back-to-back, it's hard to stay up. You have to replicate and more. It was mentally draining, but I think they'll be sweet."

Image source, Rex Features

John Mousinho says he expects a relatively busy summer at Fratton Park, with Pompey eyeing a mix of free-agent gs, purchases and loan players.

The Blues boss told BBC Radio Solent this time of year "is probably busier than usual" but said the club are in a "really strong position" having consolidated in the Championship after promotion and are not in any rush to conduct business.

"Nothing is close at all, we've been tracking players but we're not panicking," he said. "There's definitely a couple of free agents we are interested in but it's likely to be a combination of paying fees for players and bringing loans in."

Mousinho added he felt the club's retained list this year "probably wasn't a controversial one".

Kusini Yengi scored 13 goals in all competitions in 2023-24 as Pompey won League One, but was not offered a new deal after failing to make a telling impact this term, without a goal in 14 appearances.

"He was pivotal in us winning the league last season but for a number of reasons it's not quite happened for him this year, including some injuries," Mousinho itted.

"It felt like the best way was to not exercise his option and let him explore other options. We're happy where we are in the centre-forward department and didn't see him playing a lot next year."

Also departing is left-back Cohen Bramall, who the Blues signed in January on a deal until the end of the season, with Mousinho adding: "It was a good opportunity for him to showcase himself and I think he did well, had a very solid contribution to us managing to stay up and was a very positive influence."

The club hope keeper Ben Killip will agree a new deal while they have exercised their option to keep former Arsenal right-back Zak Swanson, with Mousinho saying: "He ended up starting 24 games this year - when he has played I think he's looked every inch a Championship right-back."

He added: "There's nothing we are absolutely desperate to do. What we don't want to do is let players go too early and then not necessarily have replacements. It's probably going to be a case of waiting to bring players in before we let players go.

"It won't be like it has been for the past two summers. It won't be 14 through the door. It won't be one or two. I suspect it'll probably land halfway between them. We're not going to force anything."

One of those who remains on the radar is Bristol City defender Rob Atkinson, who enjoyed a successful loan at Pompey to finish the season.

"Everyone knows we're there and perfectly willing to do a deal for Rob but he's Bristol City's player and we'll see what they do with him first," Mousinho said.

"If they had gone up it probably would have made things slightly more straightforward but it depends on them."

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