The freshman Tottenham worked hard on has collapsed again. It could be an opportunity for Yang Min-hyuk, who is set to join in December.
Tottenham announced on the club’s website on the 17th (Korea time) that “Odover underwent surgery on his right thigh muscle. Odover will still undergo confirmation from the team’s medical staff to decide when he will return to training.”
O’Doubert joined Tottenham Hotspur through a transfer window last summer. He invested a considerable amount of 30 million pounds (about 53 billion won). Expectations were also high as he already showed his skills in the English Premier League.
O’Doubert, who made his professional debut by transferring to Trua in 2022 after playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) youth team, has increased his chances by playing since the first season of Trua. O’Doubert immediately moved to Burnley and continued his career with the club that was promoted to the English Premier League (EPL). With four goals and three assists in 33 official matches, O’Doubert showed off his outstanding skills despite Burnley’s direct demotion. At the age of 19, he dribbled outstandingly against EPL defenders.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C. deployed him as a right winger early in the season after O’Dobert’s recruitment to check his skills. Postecoglou also had high expectations as the team can play its second-tier team and the front line. It was a warning sign for Yang. After his transfer to Yang was confirmed, Son Heung-min also said, “I want to give a realistic warning. That will be helpful. I think he is doing well in the K-League, but there are young players who want to take chances and take their place every day,” adding that recruiting of his rivals will continue, and O’Dobert was the same as his immediate case.
However, O’Doubert left before Yang Min-hyuk’s early joining. O’Doubert, who played in Everton and Newcastle as starters in August and September, respectively, later replaced O’Doubert in the match against Arsenal and Coventry City, but he briefly disappeared due to injury. O’Doubert, who played two minutes as a substitute in the 비아마켓 League match against Alkmaar on October 25, eventually left again with the news of the injury, ending his return from injury in two minutes and returning to rehabilitation again.
It is unfortunate news for Tottenham that they have lost offensive resources, but it may not be a big problem considering that Yang Min-hyuk is about to join early in December.
Yang Min-hyuk’s transfer to Tottenham was confirmed in July. Yang Min-hyuk is the top prospect in the spotlight in the K-League this season. Born in 2006, despite his young age of 18, Yang was not behind at all at the professional level. Initially, there were not many expectations that he would play as a starting player, but Yang grabbed the hearts of Gangwon coach Yoon Jung-hwan in pre-season winter training and immediately started the opening game. He also showed off his talent early on by scoring his debut goal against Gwangju in the second round. Since then, he has played in 37 games this season, scoring 11 goals and six assists, and is nearing the end of the season.
Yang Min-hyuk is expected to join early in January, not in January, when he was originally expected to join due to Tottenham’s recent request. British media also recognized Yang Min-hyuk’s early joining in December. Son Heung-min’s physical condition also left Odover at a time when he needed management, so Yang Min-hyuk can expect a lot of opportunities in the second half of the year if he quickly adjusts to the team after joining early.
Football London in the U.K. stated, ‘Yang will arrive in his new country ahead of his scheduled joining date, Jan. 1, after finishing the season in South Korea. Yang’s work permit was filed ahead of Jan. 1. Yang will be given plenty of time to adjust rather than rush into Tottenham manager Enze Postecoglou’s plans.’
However, he will not be able to play immediately. The British Evening Standard said, “Yang Min-hyuk can join Tottenham as soon as possible, but he will not be able to train with his teammates until he is given an official work permit. Official registration will not be possible until the next transfer window opens,” adding that he will be able to spend time with his Tottenham teammates after getting a work visa.
It’s unfortunate news for Tottenham, but Yang Min-hyuk, who will start his full-fledged career at Tottenham from December, has a chance. Attention is also focusing on what kind of start Yang Min-hyuk will show at Tottenham after Odobert’s injury.