Portsmouth are closing in on the signing of experienced goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid, as per Alex Crook.
Portsmouth have started their time back in the Championship with two very good points against two very strong opponents.
An opening day draw to Leeds United could easily have been more for John Mousinho’s side, and last weekend they kept Luton Town to a stalemate.
Pompey won League One last season in quite comfortable fashion, but making the step up in any division is never easy. However, the early signs suggest Mousinho has managed to keep his side’s good momenutm running into the 2024/25 season.
Their summer business so far has been good, and they don’t look finished just yet.
Reports last week linked them with a move for goalkeeper Schmid, but they suggested a deal would have to wait as his exit wouldn’t be sanctioned without them signing a goalkeeper of their own.
Now, Crook claims a deal is close and the completion of this one appears inevitable in advance of next Friday’s summer window deadline.
His background
The 27-year-old currently plays for Blau Weiss Linz in Austria’s top tier.
Last season he kept nine clean sheets in 31 league appearances and so far this year has one in two.
He has been a regular feature in Austria’ for ‘s top tier since 2018, but now his time there could be coming to an end with a move to Fratton Park beckoning.
This addition would provide much-need healthy competition within the Portsmouth squad and that competition should drive the standards and allow the goalkeepers to develop at a much better rate.
Looking ahead
Mousinho’s side know nothing is achieved after two games, but the early signs are strong and they couldn’t have had a much tougher two opening fixtures.
To come away having been competing in both outings will breed confidence, and if they can get their first win on the board as soon as possible then they could begin to put together a very solid run of form.
Portsmouth will be hoping that win isn’t too far around the corner, but their tricky start doesn’t get much easier just yet.
Up next for Pompey is a trip north to face Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, before welcoming Sunderland to Fratton Park the week after.
Boro have started the season with a win and a loss, losing surprisingly to Derby County last time out. Carrick’s side have often started slow in the Championship and they will be hoping last weekend’s result was just a blip as they face two newly-promoted sides back-to-back.
Sunderland have won two from two so far and sit second, but their 100% record may not be intact by the time they meet with Portsmouth as this weekend the Black Cats face off against the pacesetters Burnley.
