The Isuzu UTE A-League is “definitely a market we like”, according to John Mousinho as the Portsmouth head coach provided an insight into his transfer plans while praising the level of the competition.
A-Leagues graduate Kusini Yengi has established himself as a fan favourite at promoted Portsmouth, who prised the Australian striker from Western Sydney Wanderers heading into the 2023-24 season.
Yengi played an important role in Portsmouth’s promotion to the EFL Championship in the UK last season, scoring nine goals in 26 appearances though only seven of those were starts.
He will not be the only Aussie at Fratton Park in 2024-25 following the arrival of Socceroos teammate and ex-Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets sensation Sammy Silvera on loan from second-tier rivals Middlesbrough.
“We obviously did a bit of work in Australia last year,” said Mousinho, who has been linked with Standard Liege’s Socceroos midfielder Aiden O’Neill, who moved to Belgium from Melbourne City in 2023-24.
“I know Sammy came over to Middlesbrough, but Sammy was a player we looked at last year and we did like the A-League.
“We really liked the market, we think there’s plenty of under-valued players over there and we think we got one of them in Kusini.
“So that’s definitely one area we look at.”
WHO MADE THE CUT: Fans select the Ultimate Isuzu UTE A-League EURO XI
WHO TO WATCH: 13 players who could be set for a breakout season in the Isuzu UTE A-League
Mousinho added: “I think it (the A League) is an emerging league, and although it’s a bit of a generalisation, Australia, in terms of their sport, seem to produce really athletic players.
“They’ve certainly got a different lifestyle to us over here, I don’t know if that contributes to it, but we’ve had a look at that market, seen some really good athletes and seen some really good footballers.
“Football’s popularity over there is growing with increased investment in the A League. A bit like the MLS, I suppose, the more money, the more infrastructure, the more coaches that go over there (the better).
“There’s been an influx of English coaches over there as well, European coaches, so I suppose that’s maybe changed the way the A-League thinks about football or plays football and maybe it’s suited more to the English league.
“It’s definitely a market that we like.”
WONDERKID WATCH: 17yo’s rapid rise continues with masterclass v A-Leagues rivals as Young Socceroos come calling
