Westerlo manager Issame Charaï has publicly criticised Tottenham’s Yang Min-hyeok as the winger continues to struggle in Belgium.

Yang Min-hyeok has struggled to make an impression in the Belgian Pro League since securing a loan move away in the summer.

The South Korean winger has yet to secure a league start for his new side, although he did earn his first start this month in a cup match against Patro Eisden.

That opportunity came shortly after Yang scored his first goal off the bench in Westerlo’s 5-1 win over Royal Antwerp – a stunning curling strike. Expectations were that the goal would boost his confidence, but he failed to impress in his subsequent cup outing.

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Tottenham loanee Yang Min-hyeok struggles to settle at Westerlo

Despite starting in the cup tie, the Tottenham-owned winger did not last the full ninety minutes and was substituted at half-time.

His performances in Belgium have left his manager dissatisfied, with Westerlo’s boss calling for the winger to show more intensity both in matches and in training.

He said when speaking to Gazet van Antwerpen as relayed by Sports Witness: “I haven’t seen enough of that intensity from Yang here so far. Not in training either. He still needs to grow in that area.”

The teenager, signed from Korea, has yet to settle into European football. During his time at Gangwon FC he managed 12 goals and six assists before joining Tottenham in January 2025.

However, loan spells at Queens Park Rangers, Coventry City and Portsmouth have not seen the 20-year-old replicate those heights.

Spurs may face another Yang Min-hyeok recall decision

Tottenham had to recall Yang during his time at Coventry last season due to a lack of game time, and it remains to be seen if they will take similar action now.

The last player to feature for Westerlo while on loan from Spurs was Luka Vuskovic, who enjoyed a stellar spell with the Belgian outfit, scoring seven goals in the 2024/25 season.

While Yang continues to struggle, he was pleased with his first goal for his new side. Speaking about it, he said: “I felt good before the match. When I was allowed to come on at the end, I absolutely wanted to show what I could do. It doesn’t get much better than that. How many times have I watched that goal back? Very often. My friends and family from South Korea all sent me a message with that video.”

On his qualities, Yang added: “My greatest qualities? Speed and dribbling. I try to train specifically on my explosiveness, but it is a natural gift I was born with. How fast am I today? No idea, but I expect I am faster than I was two years ago.”