Norwich playoff loss is bad news for Blues
Pompey’s hopes of bringing Abu Kamara back to Fratton Park have taken a big hit.
Norwich City’s chastening 4-0 defeat at Leeds in the second leg of their Championhip playoff semi-final makes the chances of seeing a Blues return for the winger next season a more distant prospect.
David Wagner was sacked as the Canaries boss after his side were blown away by three goals in the first half at Elland Road.
There’s the uncertainty that development brings but it’s Norwich remaining in the Championship which is significant, as they will now go up against John Mousinho’s side next term.
It means a likely outcome will be keeping Kamara with his parent club, with the Championship the level they see the Londoner operating at next season.
That is the progression required for the 20-yearold’s development, after he made a searing impact in League One in his first loan stint.
Norwich reaching the Premier League would have meant Kamara needing another loan to fulfil that requirement, but Wagner’s successor is now likely to see him as a useful asset for his squad.
Pompey have built a strong relationship with Norwich, who have appreciated how they have taken care of Kamara in his time at Fratton Park.
Former Canaries midfielder Andrew Hughes has been a key conduit between the clubs as their loan manager, before he joined Wagner’s coaching staff.
That knowledge of how Pompey have aided Kamara will be an asset when it comes to the clubs working together again, but it now looks a stretch for it to be enough to ensure a return for the pace ace who bagged 10 goals and 11 assists in 202324.
The wide areas now looks an area of major focus for the Blues this summer. Paddy Lane and Callum Lang are the main options for that department, with it unclear what the future holds for Anthony Scully and Gavin
Whyte after difficult seasons at
PO4.