Crystal Palace starlet linked with Portsmouth after 'searing' Chelsea youth performance

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has been to watch Crystal Palace under-21 star Hindolo Mustapha in action as the forward continues to be linked with a move to Fratton Park.

The 18-year-old is already a fully fledged Sierra Leone international and has been impressing in the Premier League 2 while waiting for his first team breakthrough at Selhurst Park. Portsmouth were this week linked with a move for the teenager and Mousinho has confirmed he watched Mustapha as he impressed in the Eagles’ 6-0 thrashing of Chelsea at under-21 level.

The News labelled the attacker’s performance in that game as ‘searing’ but Mousinho was coy when asked about his take on seeing the teenager bag a brace. The outlet claims that ‘the powerful operator is a consideration for the Blues this summer as they bid to improve their squad’ with a loan move the most likely way to agree a deal.

Crystal Palace starlet eyed by Championship club

Mousinho said: “With the Premier League 2 games it’s the quarter-finals and it’s a really exciting time to see young talent. It’s an exciting time to see young talent that’s emerging and there’s plenty of that on both sides for Crystal Palace.

“It was just nice to watch the game and not worry about today. I’ll keep going to games next week as well. ‘We can keep guessing all we want but I won’t comment on individual players!

“He (Mustapha) is contracted to Crystal Palace and, particularly with young lads, you don’t want to create any pressure on the young boys. It’s not the first time I’ve seen Crystal Palace, it’s the fourth time I’ve seen them and it’s not the first time I’ve seen Chelsea. I’ve been to a lot of those games and I’ve really enjoyed them because the standard’s great. You can also get to the games without traffic too, which is always amazing!”

Premier League loan stars impressing at Portsmouth

Portsmouth have developed a reputation for helping Premier League players develop at Fratton Park. West Ham midfielder Freddie Potts has done that and Mousinho has previously spoken of his confidence that more top flight stars would come on loan to Pompey.

He said: “Hopefully we’ve shown over the past couple of seasons to clubs higher up the pyramid that we’re a good club to loan players to. There are some loans which have worked out and some that haven’t, but any player who comes in if they are good enough to play will play. Age isn’t a thing that we’re particularly concerned about, Freddie is a prime example of that - Abu and Robbo were last year. We want good players in who can play at the level - and Freddie is certainly one of them.”

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