Kusini Yengi can ‘save Portsmouth future’ after John Mousinho comments
Kusini Yengi has not had the season he would have hoped at Portsmouth, but there is still time for that to change.
Although Pompey have pulled themselves up the table, there are still just four points separating themselves from the Championship relegation zone, so there is plenty of work to still be done by John Mousinho’s team.
If his side are going to save themselves from relegation, though, he will need his entire squad to perform to their highest standards between now and the end of the season.
Mousinho sets Kusini Yengi challenge
Although Yengi was a star for Pompey in League One last season, this term has not treated him as well.
Due to issues with injuries, the striker has been limited to just 11 Championship appearances this term and is yet to score a goal.
| Season | League | Appearances | Goals |
| 2024/25 | Championship | 26 | 9 |
| 2023/24 | League One | 11 | 0 |
The 26-year-old started his first game since November on Saturday (15 March) as his side made the trip to Preston North End.
However, in a game which Pompey lost 2-1, Yengi looked slow and struggled to get into the game which led to him being taken off after 68 minutes.
Naturally, this meant it was a frustrating afternoon for Yengi, but Mousinho hasn’t given up hope just yet. With the international break coming up, the manager thinks it could do him some good.
Speaking to The News (15 March), Mousinho said: “It was a tough game for him against three really good centre-halves, but Kas gave us plenty on the shoulder and, considering it was his first game in a while, I thought he did well.
“It was his first start since November, it takes time, that’s why we brought him off. There were a few things, half a yard here, half a yard there, a few things he didn’t quite get to and that’s the nature of trying to get back into it and trying to adjust quickly.
“I think it might benefit Kas going away on international duty. There are a couple of players going away that could do with some minutes – and I think he is one of them.
“It might help us when he comes back after those two matches.”
Yengi needs to step up after international break
The striker is linking up with the Australian national team during the international break and, as Mousinho says, if he can get some minutes in the tank, it could be a really good week for him.
The 26-year-old is out of contract at Fratton Park at the end of the campaign and with that in mind, there will be a decision that has to be made.
Although Yengi showed his quality in League One, he has struggled to show anything at all in the second tier this season. With Portsmouth not yet knowing which league they’ll be in, there is plenty still to be pondered.
Mousinho clearly backs his striker to succeed otherwise he would not be giving him game time and setting these challenges, but now Yengi has to prove he can do it too.
With an important run after the international break until the end of the campaign, if the striker can step up he could well set the wheels turning for a better season next term.