Bristol City opinion: Nathan Thompson could be a useful back-up option

According to Bristol Live, Bristol City are interested in signing right-back Nathan Thompson on a free transfer, with the report claiming that Robins boss Lee Johnson is keen to add more depth to his options on the right-hand side of the backline.

Bristol Live understands that the 28-year-old, who was released from Portsmouth earlier in the summer upon the expiry of his contract at Fratton Park, recently featured in a U-23 game for the Robins, fuelling speculations that the Championship promotion-hopefuls are exploring the possibility of offering him a deal.

Nathan Thompson though, has a strained relationship with the fans at Ashton Gate, having infamously leapt into the air in front of the travelling Robins fans after captaining Swindon Town to a 1-0 victory in an M4 derby in League One back in November 2014. 

That, however, isn’t likely to be a major stumbling block in Bristol City’s pursuit of the 28-year-old right-back, who is currently coming off an impressive run of form at Portsmouth last term.

Thompson made a total of 38 appearances for Pompey last season as Kenny  Jackett’s side finished 4th in League One and lost out to Sunderland in the semi-finals of promotion-playoffs. 

A youth product of Swindon Town, Thompson made his senior professional debut for his boyhood club in the 2010-11 campaign and spent seven seasons in League One and League Two before making a switch to Portsmouth in 2017. 

The right-back established himself as a first-team regular at Fratton Park in the third-tier and racked up 78 appearances over the course of two seasons before being released by the club.

He is currently without a club, although that might change soon, with Bristol City seemingly keen to offer him the chance to test his credentials in the Championship for the first time in his career. 

Bristol City, meanwhile, have made the headlines this summer with permanent deals for Chelsea loan duo Jay Dasilva and Tomas Kalas, with the Robins choosing to add more depth and quality to their backline following the departure of Lloyd Kelly to Bournemouth. 

To add to that, Johnson has also brought in players like Sammie Szmodics, Rene Gilmartin and Tommy Rowe on free transfers from the lower divisions, whilst goalkeeper David Bentley has also joined from Brentford. 

Despite that, however, right-back looks like an area which is in need of some investment this summer. Jack Hunt, who was an undisputed starter at Ashton Gate last season, is expected to continue as the first-choice on the right-hand side of the backline but the Robins do not have much depth in that area.

Eros Pisano was released earlier in the summer and, whilst Kalas and Bailey Wright are capable of occasionally filling in at right-back, Bristol City should recruit a specialist back-up in that position. 

To put things into perspective, Nathan Thompson doesn’t have the profile to get the fans off their feet but signing him for free could add a bit more depth to Bristol’s right-back options. 

He doesn’t have any prior experience of playing in the Championship but with a wealth of Football League experience under his belt at the age of 28, one would expect him to gradually make the step up to the second division. 

Conclusion

Bristol City fell agonisingly short of a playoff spot last season and the Robins need to ensure that they have all their bases covered ahead of the upcoming campaign, as Johnson looks to guide the club to the playoffs this season.

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Thompson proved himself to be a good competent right-back at Portsmouth and with that in mind, Bristol City should not hesitate to offer the free agent a contract this summer.