How Portsmouth FC could use Mark Kosznovszky as £1.2m transfer agreement struck | OneFootball

Portsmouth are about to complete the signing of Mark Kosznovszky - but where does he fit into John Mousinho’s side?

Portsmouth are making moves in the transfer window.

MTK Budapest midfielder Mark Kosznovszky is flying into the UK this week in order for his £1.2m move to Portsmouth to be completed.

The 23-year-old talent, who has played seven times for the Hungary U21 side, arrives on the South Coast with high hopes and expectations - although, given his output over the last couple of seasons, Pompey fans may wonder whether he will be prolific enough to replace Callum Lang, whom Preston North End have had bids rejected for.

Where Koszovszky fits into Pompey's rebuild

Given the success of the front four towards the back end of last season, which consisted of Colby Bishop leading the line, Josh Murphy and Matt Ritchie on the wings, and Lang/Adil Aouchiche playing behind the ex-Accrington Stanley man - many eyebrows were raised when Pompey decided for a change in that department.

Aside from the aforementioned Lang interest, according to the Portsmouth News, Ritchie has been told to leave the club, with Adrian Segecic also coming in to fight for a place in that forward line. And the fact that the talented young Aussie, signed from Sydney FC after his contract expired with the A-League side, has been given the elusive number 10 shirt, it would imply that perhaps he could be one of Pompey's key players next campaign. His best position is, ironically, that 'number 10' role behind Bishop, although he is also comfortable on the right flank. This may play perfectly into Kosznovszky's hands, as his best position is seen as a box-to-box midfielder, vacated by the likes of Isaac Hayden and Freddie Potts following their returns to Newcastle United and West Ham United respectively.

Kosznovszky can fit alongside Andre Dozzell

If Pompey, as expected, continue in the 4-2-3-1 shape that has so far been the backbone of Mousinho's successful reign in charge, then there is every chance that ex-Ipswich Town man Dozzell (who was questioned by many Pompey fans initially before becoming a key player towards the back end of the 2024/25 season) could see Kosznovszky as his ideal midfield partner, with many clips suggesting that he could be the ideal replacement for Potts in that 'number eight' position.

The Hungarian youth international is also naturally both-footed, though he is seen as stronger with his right. Furthermore, perhaps unlike Potts (who only scored one goal in 37 league appearances last season), Kosznovszky carries a bit more of a goal threat (as was evidenced by this wonder goal against DVTK).

Pompey's recruitment strategy has been heavily reliant on the niche markets upon their return to the Championship last summer, as was seen with the success of goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid (brought in from BK Linz in Austria) and both Mousinho and Sporting Director Richard Hughes hope that this could well be another key signing as Pompey target a more comfortable second tier campaign.