According to a recent interview mentioned in Portsmouth’s official website, Pompey manager Kenny Jackett has revealed that he has no intentions of letting Louis Dennis leave during this January transfer window. Speaking to the club’s website, he said, ‘It would very much depend what Louis wanted, but he hasn’t asked to go on loan.
‘As a manager, I wouldn’t necessarily want to do that (send out on loan) and leave myself short of players.
‘I have been impressed with Louis and put him in the category of he hasn’t had a chance yet. But he signed a two-year contract here and, I’m sure, during the course of that time he will get a chance.
‘He’s not had a chance yet due to the form of other players. We will sum it up along the way, but he is not someone I am going to show the door to this January.
‘He’s a good player, Louis, a good find, he has been unlucky not to be in – and is not someone I will be pulling in and saying “You are not for me”. ‘When I speak to Louis it’s “You’re unlucky, it’s frustrating for you” and he is frustrated.
‘But he just hasn’t had a chance or opportunity in the league. For me, I am okay where he is.’
It is quite clear from Jackett’s words that he rates the English winger quite highly and feels that he is on the brink of breaking into his first-team at Fratton Park. However, the lack of game time for Dennis this season has been quite concerning. The 26-year-old winger has featured in just four matches for Pompey this term with his last appearance coming in Portsmouth’s 2-0 win over Southend on Tuesday night.
There is no doubt that Dennis is a great squad option at Jackett’s disposal, but the jury is still out on whether he is good enough to secure a permanent starting berth at the south coast of England. The former Dag and Red prospect is blessed with incredible pace which helps him get past his marker at top speed. So he is very useful as an impact substitute but other than his pace, there are no real strengths to his game.
However, keeping hold of some of their squad players this month could help the League One leaders maintain their dominance in their division and win the title which would also secure automatic promotion back to the English Championship.
Thus, it could be a shrewd call by the Pompey boss to keep hold of Dennis for the remainder of this campaign.
