Chris Hughton wants to send Christian Walton out on loan again this season and League One interest has been expressed, the Brighton boss has confirmed as much.
A move to Portsmouth, often mooted over the years, could logistically be the best move for all concerned but Wigan and Peterborough are also in for Brighton’s England U21 goalkeeper Walton, apparently.
Lacking a keeper, could Walton be the ideal candidate to fill the void at Fratton Park? This is what our friends at Vital Portsmouth said:
If Brighton goalkeeper Christian Walton is linked with Pompey enough times the law of averages says it’ll eventually happen, right?
Of course, Pompey do very much need a keeper, that is evident. Alex Bass is the only senior option the Blues have. But, considering he’s been limited to a few cup-ties during his time at Fratton Park Bass is ‘senior’ in 1st team status alone – he did gain loan experience last season though.
Walton, mentioned in connection with a loan to Pompey several times, is highly rated at the Amex Stadium, featuring a few times for Brighton’s 1st team. However, it’s loans at Bury, Plymouth – the club he started his career at – and Luton where he’s played over 50 games during temporary spells, there was also an end of season emergency loan at Southend last time round.
Pompey, Wigan and Peterborough have all been credited with an interest, according to the Argus.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton has confirmed he’s looking loan Walton, 21, out once again and interest from League One – the clubs he didn’t mention – has been shown. Extending his Seagulls contract, moving into the final year, is the aim and then this spell away to play regularly.
In many ways I’d be happy enough bringing in Walton as I’ve heard plenty of good things about him over the years. But the problem I do have is if Pompey are going to bring in a keeper, if taking the ‘inexperienced’ option, not turning to a senior one, someone like David Forde from last season, shouldn’t we be looking at using our own up and coming goalie, Bass?
Kenny Jackett knows what he’s doing – of course, I’ll back his judgement – and he’ll do the right thing. If that involves bringing in Walton hopefully it wouldn’t mean another keeper too as I would like to think Bass, himself highly thought of at Fratton, is now being considered as the Blues’ number one.
Used courtesy of Vital Portsmouth.
Mixed emotions it seems? Brighton know if Portsmouth aren’t willing to take him on a League One rival would, after Hughton is able to tie Walton down to a new contract, which is set to expire this time next year.
