Chaplin Set For Pompey Return
Monday, 1st Sep 2025 15:46

Blues forward Conor Chaplin is set to return to his local club Portsmouth on loan for the rest of the season, TWTD understands.

Chaplin, 28, has been a key player in Kieran McKenna’s back-to-back promotion-winning side having signed for his old Pompey boss Paul Cook from Barnsley in the summer of 2021.

We understand there is a recall clause in the deal which could see the attacker come back to Portman Road in January.

Chaplin’s contract is up next summer but with the club having an option for a further season.

In total, Chaplin, who started Saturday’s game against Derby, has made 127 starts and 47 sub appearances, scoring 55 times.

Worthing-born Chaplin, who came through the ranks at Pompey before moving on to Coventry in January 2019, was joint-top scorer in League One in the 2022/23 campaign, netting 23 times, plus three more in cup competitions.

Chaplin will become the fourth senior departure of the day, along with Chieo Ogbene, who is set to join Sheffield United on loan, Luke Woolfenden, who is moving to Coventry, and Ali Al-Hamadi, who exits for Luton, initially on loan.

With Conor Townsend not being registered due to his ACL injury, the Blues are now down to the required 25 players aged above 21 for their Championship squad.

It’s understood there is nothing in reports linking Elkan Baggott with Peterborough or the Blues with former loanee Mark McGuinness.

Photo: Matchday Images

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Gforce added 16:18 - Sep 1 Back in for Jordan James, maybe ??
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scants_itfc_88 added 16:20 - Sep 1 This just seems so unnecessary and not one I expected to see today. Come from nowhere. This is a consequence of money - we have spent big on players so they have to play but doesn't mean they are better. look at Philogene, hes playing but he is offering very little over what we had already. Will be gutted to see Chappers go
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Elwood added 16:21 - Sep 1 Conor was been an integral part of our promotion teams. He has been a fantastic player for us, and seems a top chap as well. However, he wasn't too involved last year, and not first choice now, so all good things must end. We need to trim the squad to 25. If it all goes pear shaped, we could recall him. But I hope we and Conor both have good futures. Good luck Conor.
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Flamencaman added 16:21 - Sep 1 They come they go sad as it is but it’s inevitable let’s see in a month
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darkhorse28 added 16:21 - Sep 1 Does this mean Clarke is staying…, four right backs and one left back. A strategic masterclass it’s not.., still 10 options or more for the 3 behind a striker, and left back and CDM still short. Ah well. Time will tell.., Paul Cooks recruitment can’t save us this time.
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BobbyBell added 16:26 - Sep 1 If Burns was fit would he go too? The group with that fantastic spirit that climbed two leagues are a thing of the past now. Can McKenna get anything like that spirit and belief from his new squad I wonder?
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stinkiusminkius added 16:26 - Sep 1 No way!!!! His vision at times is second to none. I’ve not been keen on seeing so many of the double promotion team moving on, but this one seems particularly stupid. Especially as our other support forwards haven’t clicked at all yet. Seems like a team of strangers. Hope they gel soon.
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ArnieM added 16:26 - Sep 1

Now this IS a loss! Chappets is a very, very good player, but just like so many of thst promotion winning squad, hes been sidelined by McKenna in favour of the £20m " better" players brought in. Chappers only ever needs 2 touches of the ball before either executing a shot on goal ( remember those?) Or an defence splitting pass ( remember those?)..

Guess McKenna is getting his " own" squad now.... he needs to create a bloody good " team" from it and maximise their individual and collective skills...... ive yet to be convinced this will happen.

Best of luck " Conor Chaplin Baby". You will be missed .....

planetblue_2011 added 16:27 - Sep 1 Nooooooo way not Chappers! He’s been superb for us & put in a good shift on Saturday. Oh well good luck Chappers please don’t score past us. I’m really not liking some of these transfers today, Chappers, Woolfie & Ogbene? Hope we don’t live to regret this.
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Bazza8564 added 16:29 - Sep 1

I totally disagree wih people pi88ed at dismantling the promotion side, football evolves, but I'm personally going to miss CC the most of all the ones who have left. Bottom line last season was that we were a million miles from being good enough even after spending £140m, and sorry, but we werent the 2nd best side in the Championship when promoted either.
That being said, we have built foundations with the PL money, cashed in on Delap and Omari, and raised the quality of the players significantly, whilst lowering the average age too.
We are obviously not going to stop investing in players and it's clear the owners have a taste for the PL and won't give up.
No place for sentiment but the new guys need to click quickly because this one will sting if not

jollyroger added 16:30 - Sep 1 A lot of people against chappers going but things must change .I think with akpom azon and the Norway guy we will be stronger
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TractorfactorSteve added 16:31 - Sep 1 Where have all the 'in Ashton we trust' lot gone? If you were one of them last Friday....
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jas0999 added 16:33 - Sep 1 This transfer window has been chaotic to say the least. This is a terrible decision. We may end the window with four right backs. I can’t see this going down well with many fans.
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Blueknight85 added 16:33 - Sep 1

No real surprise or loss good squad player but we have too many there now and play slightly differently needing less of him also. Dropped out of being a regular starter in the last championship run, doubt he wants to be 4th or 5th choice at 28.. surprised Taylor is still here too hes slightly more of an all rounder at least. This is the reallity of growth and moving forward that we arent used to, we could go back to keeping dwindling and aging tallent with a sprinkling of acadamy hope that we had with Calamity Chambers, Old Skuse and Lone Ranger Downes. At least League 1 season tickets might be easier to get.

Cakeman added 16:36 - Sep 1 I hope management know what they are doing because I can think of Two or Three others who should be moved on before Chaplin.
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itfc2024 added 16:38 - Sep 1 as I said the other day mckenna is ripping the sole out the club this is a shock loan move to allow chappers to leave only a couple left now from the 2 promotion
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E_I_E_I_E_I_O added 16:39 - Sep 1

So far I have supported all transfer activity. However this once I cannot fathom in the slightest. Considered good enough to start on Saturday and knows the way the manager plays more than anyone. We like to have 'finishers' also so even if not starting he's very important. Plus add the fact his role off the pitch this is very very odd. McKenna now has to get it right otherwise this will come back to haunt him. Of all the talk about the ethos and foundation etc of which he was a leader of. I can't see how this benefits Ipswich Town FC

tractorboykent added 16:40 - Sep 1 No. This should not even be considered.
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WestSussexBlue added 16:46 - Sep 1 Wow, is that the Promotion side gone if both Chaopers and Woolfy go? Hopefully the contract doesn’t allow him to go play against us. Great little player (no pun intended), Thanks Chappers you gave us everything and more.
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Number22 added 16:47 - Sep 1 Trust the process.
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nannageddon added 16:47 - Sep 1 I get CC was no longer first choice, but other players we have brought in all seem to have fitness issues... which is a concern, surely he is worth keeping for squad place? To let him go on loan seems mad, at least sell and get some cash in.
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bringmeaKuqi added 16:48 - Sep 1 This is going to turn sour quickly. If we still had our best players from the last championship season I think fans would give them time to adjust to the level and get results going. But if results don't improve quickly after the break what credit have these current players earned?
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Number22 added 16:48 - Sep 1 Trust. The. Process.
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TimmyH added 16:49 - Sep 1 Wow!...further evidence of the merry go round, as a no.10 and link up player probably the best we've had over the last few years and probably the best player for us on Saturday (certainly 1st half)...just hope McK and Ashton know what they're doing.
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