(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Kusini Yengi 'done' at Portsmouth as summer exit claim made on BBC

Dan Godfrey

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites including Pompey News between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelancer in various sports. Dan was born and raised in Portsmouth, comes from a Pompey-supporting family, and was in attendance at both of the club's FA Cup finals in 2008 and 2010.

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Portsmouth have a crucial few weeks ahead as they look to finally move clear of the Championship survival battle once and for all.

Pompey return to Fratton Park this weekend to take on Derby County (12 April) in what could be considered a 'six-pointer' which could have monstrous connotations on the table.

Certain players have made the step up very well this season while others have fallen by the wayside - and once safety is hopefully soon secured, the Blues can make a full effort to shape up their squad.

Kusini Yengi
Kusini Yengi is one of many whose futures are in doubt (Credit: Imago)

Kusini Yengi future admission made - 'he's done'

Portsmouth have enjoyed the fruits of the labour of players such as Colby Bishop, Connor Ogilvie and Freddie Potts, who have all played in the Championship for the first time this season.

This has dovetailed with previous second-tier players like Josh Murphy, Callum Lang and Andre Dozzell, who have provided that added knowhow.

Yengi, however, is a player who through injuries and inconsistency has simply been unable to get off the ground this season, registering no goals and constantly hampered by setbacks.

Speaking for BBC Radio Solent (10 April, 12:13), Pompey commentator Andy Moon posed the idea that Yengi was now bottom of John Mousinho's striker selection order, and that he could be away this summer without a contract renewal.

Yengi's current deal expires in the summer, with Portsmouth retaining an option to extend it for a year on the same terms.

"In the pecking order, Yengi's at the bottom. And maybe now, [Tom] Waddingham is ahead of [Mark] O'Mahony," Moon said.

Co-host Chris Wise responded: "Do you think that's Yengi done, by the way? Do you think that's the end of his Pompey career and we could see him depart in the summer?"

Moon added: "Obviously the club have got an option on his contract and could take that option up, but when you're not in the matchday squad, and players frozen out like Harvey Blair are getting on ahead of you, the writing is on the wall.

"You're then going to have to really show something in training to turn it around. Right now, it probably looks like Yengi's done. He's barely made an impact at all."

Mousinho has not had Yengi available for much of the season (Credit: Imago)
Mousinho has not had Yengi available for much of the season (Credit: Imago)

Portsmouth should bid farewell to Yengi

Portsmouth have always tried to operate on a close budget, and renewing the contracts of free agent players should not be a high priority unless they have made a major impact.

Pompey have acted quickly in recent months with new deals for Bishop, Regan Poole and Terry Devlin among others, but Yengi is a player whose fitness record has become a teething issue, and his performances have rarely inspired in the Championship.

Kusini Yengi - PortsmouthAppearancesGoals
2023-243113
2024-25110
(Transfermarkt)

The Australian international finished last season excellently in League One, playing a considerable part in the promotion push with nine league goals (13 in all competitions), but a parting of the ways could be in order here.

Surely, surely - Pompey don't suffer with injuries next season to the extent of this, and would otherwise have a bloated squad. Yengi would probably benefit from regular games elsewhere, too.

www.theportsmouthnews.com