Under-fire head coach Zadkovich found himself in the spotlight as swirling rumors about Tommy Waddingham’s transfer took center stage. Despite electrifying reports from Down Under claiming Portsmouth had surged ahead as favorites to secure the coveted 19-year-old’s signature, the coach remained tight-lipped, refusing to confirm whether a deal with the Blues had been sealed.
The drama escalated after Waddingham, who had been a consistent force in Brisbane Roar’s lineup this season, was shockingly left out of the squad for their narrow 1-0 loss to Melbourne City. The omission of the Australia U-19 international, who had netted four goals in 12 matches, sent shockwaves through fans and pundits alike. Zadkovich, when pressed about the absence, admitted it was linked to the mounting transfer frenzy, stating, “Yeah, it is. Those rumors are true. There’s been a lot of interest around Tommy—and rightly so.”
Zadkovich hinted at the magnitude of the potential deal, describing it as a “positive for Tommy’s career and for our club financially,” but he stopped short of confirming whether Pompey were the club in question. This only fueled speculation, leaving fans and media in a frenzy over the teenager’s next move.
If the rising star does make his way to Fratton Park, he’ll join a growing Australian contingent, including Kusini Yengi, Jacob Farrell, and loanee Sammy Silvera. The Blues appear to be leaning heavily on Aussie talent as they reshape their squad.
Adding to the transfer whirlwind, Pompey have also been linked to another Aussie, midfielder Cammy Devlin, as reports from Scotland suggest the Blues have been tracking him “for some time.” Meanwhile, the sale of Elias Sorensen to Valerenga for €300k has created space—and funds—for further attacking reinforcements. With Yengi sidelined and Mark O’Mahony nursing a side strain, Pompey are expected to make bold moves during the January window.
As the speculation continues to intensify, one thing is certain: the transfer saga surrounding Tommy Waddingham has ignited a storm, with Pompey fans eagerly waiting to see if their club lands one of Australia’s brightest young stars.
