‘Rising star’ Yang Min-hyuk (Tottenham) has officially begun his competition.
Tottenham unveiled the first training session of the 2024-2025 season’s preseason through the club’s official channel on the 8th (Korea time). On the training ground were existing first-team resources, including Dominic Solanke, Pedro Porro, Lucas Bergvall, and Djed Spence, as well as Yang Min-hyuk, who returned from loan. Additionally, Croatian prospect Luka Vušković participated in the first team training, while Dejan Kulusevski was still undergoing indoor rehabilitation.
From the start of the training, the intensity was beyond imagination. A running and fitness program for condition recovery followed, and Yang Min-hyuk sat down on the ground, catching his breath and smiling after finishing the running. Spence shook his head, expressing surprise at the training intensity.
Coach Frank offered encouraging smiles to the struggling players, and Pedro Porro approached Yang Min-hyuk to chat, helping him adjust to the team. The atmosphere gradually heated up with passing drills and mini-games.
Yang Min-hyuk signed a contract with Tottenham last summer and was initially scheduled to join in January, but he joined early in December at the club’s request and was formally registered. However, he did not make his first-team debut and was loaned out to QPR in the Championship, where he gained practical experience with 14 matches, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist.
This preseason is a critical point for Yang Min-hyuk. If he fails to impress Coach Frank, another loan will be inevitable. Alasdair Gold from Football London noted, ‘Yang Min-hyuk has gained experience in the Championship, but he is still an unfinished talent. The possibility of a summer loan is high.’
After finishing his fitness training, Yang Min-hyuk appeared to be out of breath from the high-intensity program at the training ground and sat down to rest. At that moment, a veteran quietly approached him. It was Pedro Porro, Tottenham’s main fullback.
Porro approached a tired Yang Min-hyuk right after training and spoke to him, lightly wrapping his arm around him to show camaraderie. The two exchanged brief conversations, and the scene was shared with fans through Tottenham’s official YouTube channel, leaving a warm impression. When Yang Min-hyuk first joined Tottenham, he was somewhat awkward in communicating in English, but that day he conversed more fluently, showing his adaptation speed.
Porro is known for his close friendship with Son Heung-min within the team. In the past, he played alongside Baek Seung-ho during his time at Girona, showing a particularly friendly demeanor towards Korean players because of that connection. While Son Heung-min took the lead in helping Porro adjust, now it is Porro who is extending his hand for Yang Min-hyuk’s growth and settling in. A natural transition is occurring.
For Yang Min-hyuk, building such relationships can be a survival strategy beyond mere friendship. Especially with captain Son Heung-min’s future being uncertain, the presence of a senior Korean player in the team carries more weight. Son Heung-min’s transfer possibility has been raised this summer, and Tottenham has stated they will respect the player’s decision.
If Son Heung-min leaves the club, Yang Min-hyuk will have to establish himself in European football on his own. Trust and bonds within the team will have to become key elements of survival beyond simply skill or tactical understanding. However, help from teammates continues. The competition has officially begun.
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