There is a difference between patience and persistence, and Exeter City may be nearing the point where they have to decide which side of that line Johnly Yfeko falls on.
The former Glasgow Rangers man swapped Scotland for Devon in the summer, but the Scottish giants appear unlikely to get a sell-on from their export. What once looked like a calculated gamble with significant upside is now a situation that demands clarity, particularly as the club weigh potential against availability.
From promise to uncertainty
When Exeter moved to secure Yfeko on a permanent deal, it was not without risk. In limited appearances on loan from Rangers, he showed the kind of physical presence and composure that suggested there was something to work with, something that could be developed and, in time, potentially turned into real value. That decision now sits under a different light.
The core issue is not talent. Even now, there is little doubt that Yfeko possesses attributes Exeter do not have in abundance. Strong, athletic, front-footed, there is a version of him that fits neatly into what every League One side wants from a modern defender. The problem is that the version has rarely been consistently available.
Injuries have shaped his season. Not just in terms of minutes missed, but in how they have affected everything around him. Rhythm and consistency have been broken, momentum lost, and perhaps most damaging of all, his confidence has gone. Players can recover from poor form, but it becomes significantly harder when every attempt to rebuild is interrupted.
That inconsistency now appears in his performances. Where once there was promise, there are moments of hesitation. Positional lapses, rushed decisions in possession, and a tendency to give away unnecessary fouls point towards a player not fully trusting his body or his game.
And yet, writing him off entirely still feels premature.
At 22, there is time. Centre-backs often develop later in their career, and the raw materials remain evident. There is also a growing sense that some of the issues are not purely physical. Adjustments to preparation, conditioning, and lifestyle have already been acknowledged, and that suggests there is an awareness, both from the player and the club, that improvement requires more than just waiting for fitness to return.
That brings Exeter to the real dilemma.
Patience or pragmatism
Clubs at this level cannot afford to discard potential too quickly, but they also cannot afford to carry passengers. With relegation looming, Yfeko could be a really dominant presence in League Two, but it is a big call to make. On one hand, there is frustration: a player who struggles to complete matches, who cannot string together consistent runs, and who, when he does return, looks short of the level required, raises valid questions about long-term viability.
On the other hand, there is context. The initial decision to sign him permanently was based on genuine promise, not blind optimism, and promise sometimes takes time to evolve. Lincoln City have won promotion from League One this season with a core group that have been there for a couple of years, and who haven’t always been at the top of their game. In the games Yfeko featured, there were performances that hinted at a player capable of stepping beyond League One level. That does not disappear overnight.
The issue now is whether Exeter can realistically unlock that version of him in League Two, should the almost inevitable relegation occur.
Another pre-season, a clean run of fitness, and a structured conditioning programme could change the outlook entirely. That is the optimistic scenario, and it is not without foundation. Many players have rebuilt careers after similar setbacks, particularly when the underlying ability is there. But football rarely operates on best-case scenarios alone.
If the same patterns repeat, if injuries continue to limit availability and performance remains inconsistent, then the conversation shifts from development to necessity. Squad places are finite, and reliability becomes as important as potential. That is why this summer feels significant, for Exeter, and possibly for Rangers. They might hope to see some rewards,a big sell-on fee, and that can only come if he steps up and matches the potential Exeter believe he has.
The Grecians do not necessarily need to make a drastic decision immediately. Contractually, there is time. But strategically, there has to be a plan. Whether that is backing him fully for one final push towards consistency or beginning to consider alternatives, the current middle ground cannot continue indefinitely.
Yfeko’s situation is no longer just about what he might become. It is about what he can realistically deliver, and how long Exeter are prepared to wait to find out.
