Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has made a bold statement regarding the future of Sunderland loanee Aji Alese, following a devastating injury setback. Alese, who made his debut for the Blues, is unlikely to play again for the duration of his scheduled loan, prompting the club to explore the possibility of deregistering him from their squad list.
In an interview with The News, Mousinho revealed that they are 'going to try' to deregister Alese, depending on the severity of the injury, which will be verified by an independent consultant. The decision comes as a result of the defender's return to parent club Sunderland for treatment on a torn quad, which occurred during his debut. Despite having two spaces available in their 25-man squad, Mousinho emphasized that they don't need Alese's spot at the moment.
'Most likely his season is over,' Mousinho stated. 'He’s back at Sunderland, if we can get him back quicker then great, we’ll see what that looks like. He’s obviously still our player - but we are preparing for it to most likely be over.'
The manager expressed empathy for Alese, who has struggled with injuries and has only managed one competitive match in the last 13 months. Mousinho acknowledged the player's disappointment, as he had settled in well and was making positive contributions. However, he also highlighted the need to make tough decisions for the team's best interests.
'Aji was doing pretty well, I thought he had settled in very well, he was positive when he came in against Preston. It’s impossible to tell how much of an impact he was going to have based on that, but we were pleased,' Mousinho said.
The situation raises questions about the club's handling of injuries and the potential impact on player morale. It also invites discussion on the balance between player welfare and team strategy. Will Portsmouth's decision to deregister Alese spark controversy? What do you think, readers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
