'Pompey need a B-Tech Virgil van Dijk'
- Published
Former Premier League defender Curtis Davies believes that Portsmouth will need to make valuable additions to their squad in January if they are to remain in the Championship.
On the latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's 'Who Needs Mourinho?' podcast, Davies claims that there are enough teams in the relegation battle for Pompey to survive but concerns will creep in if mid-season recruitment is not up to scratch.
"I'd be worried if I'm a Portsmouth fan and come January, there's not reinforcements," Davies said.
"I'm not talking about big wholesale, Championship or lower Premier League names coming into the football club - but people that can effect this squad.
"It's not about getting a young lad from Manchester United because he's from Manchester United but someone who is ready to come in and play."
Defence is an area boss John Mousinho may want to look at given that his side have conceded the third most goals in the Championship this season.
However, Davies thinks that finding a defender capable of living up to the standards required in the second tier is like finding a "unicorn".
"I spoke to John when I was working with him and he said 'ultimately, we all want a Virgil van Dijk but we need a B-Tech Van Dijk that will hopefully become good enough'.
"To be dominant in the Championship is important, yes, but you need to be mobile and you need to be quick. You need be good on the ball because of the way John wants to play.
"But finding them all in one is really difficult."
