'Baptism of fire'- Tottenham loanee earning rave reviews in the EFL Championship; 2026 N17 breakout on the cards?

Portsmouth boss hails “impressive” Yang Min-hyeok

Portsmouth signed Yang Min-hyeok on a season-long loan from Tottenham in August. The South Korean prodigy moved from K-League side Gangwon FC to join Spurs in January 2025 and instantly went on loan to Championship side Queens Park Rangers, where he netted twice in 14 games during the second half of last season.

After settling in at his new club, Yang has now started three games in a row against Ipswich Town, Watford and Middlesbrough. He scored in the 2-2 draw with Watford last week, and after being named in the starting XI against Boro, he repaid Mousinho’s faith again. The South Asian attacker met a cross from the right by Jordan Williams, striking sweetly on the volley in the 23rd minute to seal the points for the hosts.

After the much-needed victory, Mousinho was full of praise for Yang. The English tactician said the young winger has improved with every passing game at Fratton Park and was “very impressive” in the win over Boro.

“Yeah, it’s about a number of things. I think patience first and foremost, we’ve spoken about that in the press, recognising that Min-hyeok has been in the country for less than a year, still learning the language, he’s been down in Portsmouth for eight weeks. It’s a baptism of fire when you come into the Championship,” Mousinho was quoted by BBC.

“He had that exposure with QPR for January onwards. I’m not sure he started two games on the spin, so he’s started three games on the spin this week. He’s improved in every single one of those games. Thankfully, we’ve stuck with him, and I thought he was very, very impressive again today.”

Yang would want to build on recent performances after international break

It looks like following a short adaptation period, Yang is proving himself at Portsmouth. The loan at QPR in the second half of last season certainly benefited him, and he is now reaping the rewards on the south coast in the Championship.

After being used as a substitute in the first five games of the season by Mousinho, the 19-year-old’s last three games have all come in the Pompey’s starting XI. This shows the progress Yang has made by locking in his position in Mousinho’s first XI for three consecutive games and scoring two goals. Yang is really starting to show why Tottenham invested in him in 2024, and more importantly, why Portsmouth signed him on loan.

The one-cap South Korean international would be hungry to build on his recent showings after the international break when Portsmouth travel to third-placed Leicester City on October 18.