Yang Min-hyeok (20, KVC Westerlo) is struggling to establish himself on the Belgian stage. After winning an Asian Games gold medal and scoring his league debut goal, hopes for a rebound were raised, but his club coach gave a cold appraisal, saying there are still many areas to improve.
British outlet SpursWeb reported on the 27th (KST) "Westerlo coach Isam Sharaie publicly expressed disappointment with Tottenham Hotspur's Yang Min-hyeok, who is having difficulties in Belgium."
Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen (GVA) also relayed Sharaie's remarks on the 25th. Sharaie said, "So far I have not seen sufficient match intensity from Yang Min-hyeok. It is the same in training. He still needs to grow in this area," he pointed out.
Yang Min-hyeok moved on loan to Westerlo from Tottenham last summer. However, he has not yet earned a starting spot in the Belgian league. He has only appeared as a substitute, and injuries and participation in the Asian Games have overlapped, making it difficult to maintain consistent match sharpness.
There was a turning point. Yang Min-hyeok scored his debut goal on the Belgian stage in the league match against Royal Antwerp on the 12th. It was a goal recorded after returning to his club with a gold medal from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Substituted in at the 40th minute of the second half, Yang Min-hyeok drove the ball forward into the opponent's penalty area during a stoppage-time counterattack. After calmly evading one defender with a touch, he curled a precise shot that rippled the net.
It was a scene that showcased his strengths despite limited playing time. His quick feet, dribbling ability and composure in front of goal were on display, raising expectations in the competition for a starting spot.
He could not sustain the momentum. On the 17th, Yang Min-hyeok started for the first time since his move to Westerlo in a cup match against Patro Eisden. It was an opportunity that came after his league debut goal, but he only played the first half before being substituted.
Sharaie explained the reason for the substitution: "He did not protect the ball well enough." The assessment was that he struggled to maintain possession and continue the attack under the opponent's pressure.
However, Sharaie did not deny Yang Min-hyeok's potential itself.
He emphasized that "it would be too harsh to judge him based on this performance alone," saying a conclusion should not be drawn from a single match.
GVA also evaluated Yang Min-hyeok as a player with sufficient potential. In particular, his speed and dribbling ability are weapons that can target opposing defenses, and he is the type of player who fits the football Sharaie pursues.
The question is how consistently he can show those strengths. This loan period is an important time for Yang Min-hyeok. He joined Tottenham in January 2025 but has not yet established a solid place in Tottenham's first team.
He experienced the English Championship with Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and Coventry City but did not secure a regular starting role. At Coventry, his playing time decreased and the loan contract was ended early, after which he moved to Portsmouth.
This season he moved to the Belgian stage for a new challenge. However, with Westerlo also not providing sufficient starting opportunities, he is once again in a situation where he must prove his competitiveness.
Since Tottenham recalled Yang Min-hyeok early from Coventry last season when he was not getting sufficient playing time, his future could become a subject of interest depending on his playing situation during this loan as well. However, there has been no decision so far to terminate the loan with Westerlo early.
Yang Min-hyeok won a gold medal at the Asian Games and demonstrated his scoring ability in the Belgian league. However, to reach the level demanded by his club coach, he must show higher intensity and aggressiveness not only in matches but also in training.
One impressive goal alone cannot guarantee a starting spot. Sharaie acknowledged Yang Min-hyeok's strengths while clearly pointing out his shortcomings.
Ultimately the important thing is the next opportunity. It remains to be seen whether Yang Min-hyeok, who showed potential with his Belgian debut goal, can meet the coach's demands and secure steady playing time.
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