Pompey boss John Mousinho hopes to resurrect Tino Anjorin’s career and prepare him for first-team action at Chelsea at the end of his loan term.
The Blues have signed Anjorin till the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, and he has arrived just in time, considering the injuries to front-line players Anthony Scully and Kusini Yengi.
Given his past job at Stamford Bridge, former Chelsea left-back and now assistant manager Jon Harley was credited for bringing Anjorin to the South Coast upon his arrival at Fratton Park.
Harley saw firsthand how great the youngster was coming through the West London system, and Mousinho has remarked that at one point in his career, he was the most talented young player.
‘I think John was responsible for probably 90% of that deal getting done,’ Mousinho told the What the EFL?! podcast.
‘Obviously, Tino knows a lot about John, but Chelsea also knows a lot about John, so they were very comfortable with us having him and taking him on for this period.
‘I believe Tino showed a lot of promise early in his career. He made his Chelsea debut and was a promising young player. He was undoubtedly the best young player in the country coming through at all age levels.
‘He hasn’t really taken off in the last few years. He’s followed a route that hasn’t yielded any fruit. With Tino’s potential, we know he can have a significant impact at this level.’
Anjorin did not make the matchday squad against Peterborough United, but he could be included in the 18-man squad for Saturday’s (September 16) trip to Derby County. His adaptability has caused the manager a hassle, but it is a pleasant headache because he values versatility on his team.
The Poole-born forward has had a varied professional career, including loan spells at Lokomotiv Moscow and Huddersfield Town last season. His loan in Russia was cut short due to injury, and he later went out to Huddersfield for a month and a half, but his opportunities were restricted.