Pompey signed Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Benjy Arthur and Jayden Meghoma on loan during the summer transfer window.
Rich Hughes has conceded some of Pompey’s Championship loan signings in recent seasons ‘haven’t been good enough’.
But the sporting director is confident summer arrivals Benjy Arthur, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Jayden Meghoma will succeed at Fratton Park after their impressive introductions.
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Since the Blues’ second-tier return in 2024, 17 players have so far arrived on loan - with some having more success than others.
Pompey sporting director Rich Hughes. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImagesplaceholder image
Pompey sporting director Rich Hughes. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
The likes of Freddie Potts, Rob Atkinson and Isaac Hayden were key additions to John Mousinho’s ranks, while others - including Kaide Gordon, Florian Bianchini, Sammy Silvera, Aji Alese and more struggled to make an impact on the south coast.
However, the Blues reduced the number of temporary signings in the recent summer window, with only three players arriving on loan.
Arthur, Meghoma and Kavuma-McQueen have all enjoyed positive starts to life at Po4, with the trio already establishing themselves as vital figures in Mousinho’s starting XI.
Pompey sporting director makes strong transfer admission
And although Hughes insisted Pompey don’t want to be ‘completely reliant’ on loan players in the future, the sporting director explains the Blues are ‘never going to be able to fully eradicate’ having them in the group.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, he said: ‘Where we’ve potentially found ourselves in a different spot previously was that the loan players haven’t been good enough and that’s a big reflection.
‘We never want to be a squad which is heavily weighted by loan players, especially when they’re not affecting the (starting) XI.
‘But actually with what we’ve seen so far with Benjy (Arthur), Jayden (Meghoma) and Ryan (Kauma-McQueen), we’re really pleased with the difference they’ve added to the group in terms of their ability and the fact they can affect the Xi and keep us performing.
‘There’s always going to be an element of loan players that we have to deal with, but our line has been pretty consistent in that we know we’re never going to be able to fully eradicate having loan players in the group.
‘But, we don’t want to be completely reliant on them, we don’t want them making up a huge component of the squad.
‘So we’re quite pleased with where we find ourselves at the moment.’
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Pompey’s summer transfer business
Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma was one of 12 new signings at Fratton Park in the summer.placeholder image
Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma was one of 12 new signings at Fratton Park in the summer. | Portsmouth FC
Pompey recruited a total of 12 players during a hectic summer window as Hughes and his recruitment department looked to bolster Mousinho’s ranks.
Although the Blues have picked up seven points from their opening six matches, the sporting director is excited to see where the new-look side will go in the Championship this season.
‘I’m pleased with a lot of the work that's taken place.
‘A big reflection is that it's been one of the more challenging windows that we've had and that's been echoed across the market in terms of the challenges with recruitment to the Championship.
‘I'm really looking forward to seeing where the group plays out to be once they get a bit more comfortable with each other and have played a few more games.
‘Overall I'm really pleased with the work that we've done and the strength in depth that we've added to the group, I'm optimistic as to where we can go with this squad.’