Portsmouth recruited winger Owen Dale from Blackpool on loan last summer, and there’s been mixed reviews of his spell at Fratton Park to date.
Dale made a name for himself with Crewe Alexandra, with his tally of 12 goals and three assists in the 2020/21 campaign first catching the eye after his break into the first-team with the Railwaymen.
His form earned him a move to the Championship with Blackpool, but since first arriving on an initial loan deal in 2021, Dale has struggled to make a telling impact with the Tangerines. That saw him drop down the pecking order before being loaned out to Portsmouth for this season.
Over the course of the campaign, Dale has divided opinion at times, but should Pompey pursue a permanent deal this summer?
A key admirer…
As touched on before, Dale’s returns this season haven’t quite left everyone convinced of his impacts on the team, but there is one key admirer of the 24-year-old: John Mousinho.
Speaking with The News about the loan man last weekend, Mousinho moved to heap praise on Dale and highlighted just why he’s seen as a key part of his side. He admitted he understands why the winger is getting frustrated in his hunt for a return to the scoresheet, but explained he brings much more to the side than his contributions in terms of goals and assists.
It’s clear to see the respect between the two is reciprocated too. Dale has spoken highly of the new boss’ impact at Fratton Park, so they’re clearly enjoying working with one another. That could be crucial in getting the best out of the Blackpool loanee in the long run if this is to become a long-term affiliation.
At 24, Dale seems like a player who still has plenty of room to develop. His off-ball efforts haven’t gone unnoticed and it feels like once he hits goalscoring form, he could be a real threat for Pompey.
At the right price, the Warrington-born winger would be a smart permanent signing. Dale will enter the final 12 months of his Blackpool contract at the end of the season and while a possible deal would lean heavily on the Tangerines’ stance, a permanent deal could really work well for both Pompey and the player.
