"It’s a cruel sport" - Reaction given as 26-year-old leaves Portsmouth FC | OneFootball

FLW's Portsmouth fan pundit has given his verdict on Kusini Yengi's release from the club

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Kusini Yengi has been released by Portsmouth following the end of his contract with the club.

The 26-year-old joined Pompey in the 2023 summer transfer window, arriving from Western Sydney Wanderers.

He played an important role in John Mousinho’s side gaining promotion to the Championship in his first season at Fratton Park.

However, injuries hampered his second campaign with the club, leading to just 14 appearances in the league, including only four starts, which culminated in his departure from Portsmouth.

Kusini Yengi release claim

When asked if he was surprised at Yengi’s release, FLW’s Portsmouth fan pundit Miltos Ioannidis claimed he was not.

He believes the player will be fondly remembered for his role in the club’s promotion, but that the nature of football is that sometimes difficult decisions like these need to be made after a tough second season.

“I’m not surprised at all, no,” Ioannidis told Football League World.

“And I think that this was always coming.

“Yengi played a monumental part in our memorable League One winning season, however, he was unfortunately able to build on that and have a similar impact for us this time around in the Championship.

“In defence to him, I have a lot of sympathy for the fact that his season was hindered with injuries, and I’m sure he will feel that we never really saw him at his best this season.

“But, unfortunately for him, that’s how football works sometimes.

“It’s a cruel sport, a cruel business and, look, I think the way we should remember Yengi is for all the good moments that he offered to this football club in games like Peterborough away, Bolton at home, these type of games will remain engraved forever in Pompey folklore.

“And I wish him nothing but the best.”

Portsmouth consolidated their position in the Championship with a 16th place finish in the table.

Ruthless Portsmouth have greater plans

Portsmouth have shown no sentimentality when it comes to Yengi, which could look harsh from the outside.

However, these are the kinds of decisions that get made when a club wants to try and improve their squad and their standing in the Championship.

Pompey had a solid first season back at this level, but it’s clear their eyes are set on breaking into the top half of the table now.