Former Portsmouth coach Paul Hardyman believes incoming new Blues recruit Adam Webster will ultimately go on to play in the Premier League. The 21-year-old centre-half’s move to Town - which will see Matt Clarke go in the opposite direction along with a fee in excess of £500,000 - is set to be confirmed this week.

Hardyman was assistant youth development officer at Pompey when he brought Webster to Fratton Park as a 10-year-old 11 years ago. The former left-back, who also played for Sunderland and Bristol Rovers, was Portsmouth’s first-team coach until the end of 2014/15.

“I think Ipswich will be a stepping stone for Adam to go on and do something bigger and better in maybe three or four years’ time,” he told the Portsmouth News.

“Let’s not forget, he is only 21 — he can use that experience to gain a better knowledge of the game and at 25 will easily be ready to step up again if Ipswich don’t get promoted themselves.

“I know there were a number of clubs interested in him and he is going to be a top, top player for sure. I think he can get to the Premier League, I honestly do.

“You have to be a bit lucky, for sure, but you also have to have the ability in the first place and there are not many ball-playing centre-halves like Adam coming through.

“He has the ability, the belief, he has never doubted himself — which is good — and is someone level-headed enough to take that step.

“I am really pleased for him and for the club because it is recognition everyone has done a good job. Hopefully he will go on further, who knows where he could end up.”

Photo: Action Images

Seasider added 16:04 - May 23 All the stuff about Webster is emanating from the sellers end where Portsmouth fans etc seem certain that he is going,it appears to ITFC. However if that is the case,then why the delay,which worries me a bit.I recall Roy Keane saying, after he left Ipswich,that whilst here he had Charlie Austin in the building;but due to dithering about his terms by Simon Clegg,he slipped through our fingers. I hope the same doesn't happen with this promising defender,as I am not happy knowing that McCarthy now has a say in the contracts along with Marcus;which he had said previously he didn't have.

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spanishblue added 16:05 - May 23 ? Why would you sign a ball playing centre half then play him at R/B, or am i showlng my age here,more like m/m has seen the light,and in a years time we,ll be thinking we,ve got a good young team,ready to celebrate promotion in 2years time,maybe or should i go back to sleep
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:07 - May 23 I notice I must be losing my English after so long in Sweden. What does a "ball-playing defender" mean? -:)
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Michael11 added 16:50 - May 23 Why has this not been confirmed yet? We don't normally hear about players arriving until it's signed and sealed so what's the hold up with this one?
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jas0999 added 17:14 - May 23 Time will tell. He may be great, he may not. Certainly a more exciting signing though than Coke, Toure and the polish fella!
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Steelmonkey added 17:52 - May 23 I would rather see Smith partnering Webster than Chambers, sell Berra and Chambers to fund a proper right back. That would see the hoof ball out of our side. Given the chance Smith would make a far better player being played on his natural left side.
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Peanutblue1980 added 18:53 - May 23
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EssexTractor added 19:20 - May 23 Truth is how many had heard of Adam Webster before the impending transfer news broke? Probably not many of us. But when a player is loaned to another club, the parent club will always watch him. And in this case in so doing Webster has been viewed as a Clarke partner and as himself. In this modern world we would " hope" that MM had others assess this player and the buying decision has been made.Pompey fans say the guy is a centre half not a right back ( and so does the player) so play him there, not time to try to make Luke Chambers a centre half again! In fairness Clarke ,although another local lad, had little opportunity to shine for ITFC. That chance now seems to be gone so if he stays at Fratton good luck to him and we would really really like to believe that Adam Webster is a "footballing centre half" , because when did we really have such a young player as he in that position? Truth is last season our player of the year was our goalkeeper who only found himself( properly) in the team through some luck. That decision was largely down to the fact that none of our defenders were of the quality to truly be of a top two team. Everyone has his day, each have had good days but if all the " back four" were replaced would that be a crying shame??

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Limmy05 added 20:28 - May 23 Webster and clarke hardly played together. It was burgess plus 1. But when they did they were good as would be expected as they are both good players just that webster is a little bit better. Hence why deal all round is fair
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Knightsy added 18:05 - May 24 Probably be in premiership before Town at this rate
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battyblue added 05:41 - May 25 Nothing happened here yet then,,completion was early this week I believe it was stated ?
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Razor added 11:30 - May 25 In fairness to the guy he did say unless Ipswich get promoted themselves.
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Cakeman added 20:11 - May 26 No news on this signing is a little odd. Perhaps he failed to pass the close season trial of painting the turnstiles!
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