The Minyeok Yang problem Portsmouth potentially face in January - which is nothing to do with Spurs

Pompey are in danger of losing current Fratton Park hotshot Minyeok Yang for a sizable chunk of the season.

The on-loan Spurs forward has been making huge strides with the Blues in recent weeks as he deputises for the injured Josh Murphy on the left wing.

Following an indifferent start to life at PO4, the 19-year-old has repaid the faith shown in him by John Mousinho by scoring in each of Pompey’s past two games.

That has helped the Blues pick up four crucial points from their fixtures against Watford and Middlesbrough respectively, with Yang’s 23rd-minute effort against Boro proving the winner against the then league-leaders.

Those goals have also enhanced the South Korean international’s popularity at Fratton Park, with the Tottenham teenager finally showing the PO4 faithful the obvious talent that brought him to these shores from K-League side Gangwon last January.

Minyeok Yang form rewarded with South Korea under-22 call-up

That pick-up in form has also been recognised by South Korea under-22 boss Lee Min-sung, who has included Yang in his latest international get-together in Saudi Arabia.

There, the team will compete twice against their hosts on October 10 and 14, with Min-sung keen to get a better understanding of what options he has at his disposal ahead of the upcoming under-23 Asia Cup.

And that’s where a potential conflict of interest lies, with the tournament taking place in Saudi Arabia between January 6-24.

2026 Asia Cup schedule

South Korea secured their place in the championships last month, although Yang was not involved as he remained at Pompey following his season-long loan move from Spurs.

They have been drawn in Group C of the 16-team tournament and will take on Iran (January 7), Lebanon (January 10) and Uzbekistan (January 13) in order to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Those last eight games are scheduled to take place on January 16, with the semi-final and final to be played on January 20 and 24 respectively.

Pompey problems identified

In total, the eventual winners and finalists - plus the third and fourth-placed teams - could spend nearly three weeks in the cities of Riyadh and Jeddah.

And that could prove problematic for Pompey, who will then be involved in one of the busiest periods of the English football season.

Indeed, on the eve of the tournament, the Blues welcome Ipswich Town to Fratton Park (January 4). Mousinho’s side then have FA Cup third-round commitments the week after, before returning to Championship action against Sheffield Wednesday (away, January 17), Watford (away, January 21) and then Southampton at Fratton Park on January 25.

It was in December and January last season that the Blues - who currently sit 14th in the table - began to produce the form and results that would eventually see them retain their Championship status for another season.

Yang’s elevation to Pompey first-teamer

Yang’s recent promotion to first-team regular at Pompey stems from injuries to his fellow forwards, including Murphy and Callum Lang. Conor Chaplin’s ineligibility to play against parent-club Ipswich also benefitted the 19-year-old.

There was still pressure on the full South Korea international to step up and perform to the levels expected of him. And he didn’t let anyone down as he finally proved his quality in the games against Ipswich, Watford and Middlesbrough.

But is he guaranteed a place in Min-sung’s side for January’s trip to Saudi Arabia?

Well, when asked about Yang and Genk’s Kang Min-woo potential to be involved ahead of this month’s get-together, Min-sung responded: ‘These players are capable of demonstrating their abilities. Some have experience on major stages, such as the U-17 World Cup, so they can immediately contribute to our team.

‘We plan to observe how they can be utilized during this training camp. If they demonstrate their competitiveness, they may be included in the squad management plan for the final tournament.’

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