Son Heung-min's heir apparent, Yang Min-hyuk (19), seizes another opportunity for growth at Tottenham.
The new head coach of Tottenham, Thomas Frank, is known for his ability to nurture 'young wingers.' Local media reported that this change is a positive sign for Yang Min-hyuk.
London World reported on the 28th (KST) that "Frank has demonstrated excellent leadership in developing young wingers, which could provide a great opportunity for Tottenham's promising player, Yang Min-hyuk."
Tottenham recently parted ways with former coach Ange Postecoglou and is now in the process of restructuring the squad and preparing for a return to the UEFA Champions League.
Yang Min-hyuk is a rising star who made his professional debut with Gangwon FC in the 2024 season, making a significant impact in the K League 1. In his debut season, he recorded 38 matches with 12 goals and 6 assists, showcasing decision-making and creativity beyond his years. After the season, he received both the K League 1 Best Eleven and Young Player awards, drawing attention as 'the discovery of the year.'
His potential was quickly recognized in Europe. Several clubs showed interest, and ultimately, Yang Min-hyuk donned the Tottenham jersey through the winter transfer window. However, breaking into the first team proved difficult. Unable to secure playing opportunities in the fiercely competitive Tottenham attack, he was promptly loaned to Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in the English Championship.
Adapting to QPR also happened quickly. Yang Min-hyuk scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in 14 matches during the second half of the season, demonstrating an increasing integration into the team's tactics. Coach Shifuentes positively assessed him, stating, "Yang Min-hyuk is fast and strong in one-on-one situations. While he still has much to learn, his attitude is excellent, and he is increasingly acclimating to the pace of the game."
Goal.com highlighted his development, placing Yang Min-hyuk on the list of '50 best young talents in the world for 2024.' It reported, "The presence of Son Heung-min already creates a special 'consolidation' between Korea and Tottenham. The club has expectations for Yang Min-hyuk to follow in Son Heung-min's footsteps."
Local media predict that with the appointment of Coach Frank, Yang Min-hyuk could be afforded a practical opportunity for growth. London World stated, "Ahead of the 2025-2026 season, Yang Min-hyuk is likely to regularly participate in first team training at Tottenham while also playing in U-21 matches," and emphasized that "Coach Frank is a specialist at nurturing young wingers. He could guide Yang Min-hyuk to become a world-class player."
Tottenham is also focusing on another Korean winger following Son Heung-min. Yang Min-hyuk's journey is just beginning, but the potential within it is already receiving expectations from the European stage.
[OSEN]