John Mousino explains his plan for Matt Ritchie


 
 
 
 
 
 

Earlier this week, John Mousinho welcomed Matt Ritchie to Portsmouth.

Newcastle United having not offered a new contract and at the age of 34, the player leaving after eight years at St James’ Park.

Returning to Portsmouth after a long career, Matt Ritchie isn’t going to be playing just a bit part in this season’s plans.

John Mousinho sees Matt Ritchie versatile and fit enough to start in any of the three attacking positions behind the striker in the manager’s preferred 4-2-3-1.

Renowned for his levels of fitness, despite turning 35 in September, I can see Matt Ritchie having a massive contribution at Portsmouth in the Championship.

Pompey start the season at Leeds on Saturday, whilst Matt Ritchie and Portsmouth face Sunderland at home at the end of August.

John Mousinho speaking to The News about his plans for Matt Ritchie – 8 August 2024:

“I think there’s a lot of flexibility there, I think he’s a very good technical player.

“Certainly, where I see him now is anywhere in behind the number nine, he’s good enough to play in any one of those front three positions or adapt to anywhere we put him.

“He’s played more as left winger, but a player of his calibre should be able to fit in there (the 10 position) and adjust really well.

“He has been flexible where he’s played in his career, whether it’s been as a left winger or right winger.

“He’s played as a 10, a left wing-back and left-back at times. I think he has a lot of potential to be versatile and that’s a really important point for us in terms of bringing certain players in.

“It (playing left-back or wing-back) won’t be an immediate consideration, in terms of where we are at the moment. We definitely see him more as an attacking player.

“Matt hasn’t played any pre-season minutes competitively, but he’s been training with Bournemouth’s under-21s (after leaving Newcastle United). That gives him a real leg-up in terms of him versus other free transfers who haven’t been training or with clubs.

“So he’s come in quite sharp today and looked quite sharp when we did a little session yesterday afternoon.

“I think the training sharpness and fitness isn’t going to be a problem, it’s just the match fitness and minutes we need to get into his legs which will develop over the next couple of weeks.”