Ritchie, Belhadj and Cuvelier latest

Tuesday saw the level of activity of players, contracted to Pompey, go up a notch - one is talking up his willingness to stay with his hometown team, one is talking up his chances of moving onto Italian club Lazio and the other is not saying anything the 'rumours' are doing this for him...

In all honesty I have not thought about Matty Ritchie leaving - it just does not seem to make any sense at all. Why sell the guy if it is pretty clear he would not want to go, whilst 'could' be a valuable asset to the club next season...

Swindon took Matty on loan last season, before he was recalled to help compensate an injury crisis and the 20-year-old had a few run-outs. He 'should' get more this season, you would think?

Danny Wilson is interested in taking Ritchie back to Swindon although Matty, as he told The News, does not want to go anywhere and is in the process of sorting out the details of the new 2-year contract he was offered: 'there's been a few sniffs around me but, to be honest, I want to stay here.

'I've been offered a two-year deal and there is a bit of negotiating to do still. Hopefully we can get that sorted and I can play for Portsmouth in the Championship. I want to prove myself and be a local boy playing for the team he loves to play for.

'I will give 120% every week. Hopefully I will get the chance to prove myself. It's going to be a big year for me in the Championship. Hopefully I can play and turn myself into a big player for us.'

We need fully committed players and they do not come more committed than a local lad who is desperate to play for his hometown club do they?

I have, and have not hid the fact, been a fan on Matty's for some time and whilst he 'might not' be the first choice option to start on the left week-in-week-out he would, for me, certainly have a big role to play - circumstances might dictate that he actually plays more than would have been wanted?

Whatever though I am sure he will do a job and not let anyone down, his passion, effort and commitment sees him start a game fully pumped up each time he pulls on the shirt, and that IS worth something extra!

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A 'reported' interest in Nadir Belhadj from Lazio first came about last week, and this interest is stepping up a notch from the looks of it with both player and club talking up the chances of this...

It was said that Billy had expressed an interest in joining them, and now there have been some quotes attributed to him in Corriere dello Sport: 'I heard from my agent about the interest of Lazio.

'For now there is nothing concrete, but the Italian league is one of the best. Being approached by Lazio is a great honour for me.'

These have been followed up with Lazio manager Edy Reja admitting, talking on Radio Radio, a keenness in signing the Algeria: 'Belhadj is a great player who has huge potential, he plays well on the left, has great feet and a great shot.

'He's a player who is more offensive than defensive, and that appeals to us very much.

'He usually plays in defence, but the defence in the Premier League is very different to that in Italy.

'Belhadj is one of the players we are going to focus on and he has expressed a desire to come.'

I have no doubt that Billy would tear championship defences to pieces if he was unleashed as a more attacking player next season but the facts are simple, we need to bring in money and we need to cut the wage bill - he 'should' bring in decent money and will be on very good money himself here!

The guy has enhanced his reputation with some good displays at the world cup, another good one today against American could up his value, and the interest in him, a notch higher...

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Remember Florent Cuvelier?

The kid from the youth academy at Pompey that was 'withdrawn by his old man' as he had become 'disillusioned' with the goings on at the club and the level of training that the midfielder was actually receiving.

Cuvelier still has a year on his contract but it was made clear that he would not return and the club also said they would reach an agreement to let him go.

Well, according to sky sports these differences have now been 'settled' but the 17-year-old, VERY highly rated Belgian youngster is moving on - Citeh, Spurs, Fulham and Stoke are all 'understood' to be 'ready to make him an offer.'

I have to say that it is a shame that things turned so sour with Cuvelier as this guy is meant to be extremely talented and would have, I think, made a breakthrough into the 1st team this season and 'perhaps' not our of necessity either.

So guys, what do we think on this little lot? As always leave your thoughts...

PLAY UP POMPEY!



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