‘Son Heung-min surprise as Tottenham replacement timeframe updated’
Son Heung-min’s replacement at Tottenham may be further off than expected after the latest developments, Henry Winter has claimed.
The South Korean international, who wears the captain’s armband at Hotspur Way, has experienced a difficult campaign despite notching 10 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
Many Spurs fans have been calling for the player to be dropped or even sold this summer, and Tottenham staff are now becoming concerned by Son’s performances.
However, during the 4-1 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday (22 February), he was handed his 21st league start of the season, making an incredible impact as Spurs raced into a 2-0 lead.
Son set up Brennan Johnson for both of the opening two goals and while Omari Hutchinson scored to make things interesting, Djed Spence and Dejan Kulusevski ensured all three points were secured.
The 32-year-old finally looked back to his best.
Son Heung-min stars in demolition of Ipswich Town
Writing via his personal blog [24 February], Winter said: “Having watched a fair bit of Son Heung-min of late, I was convinced he was past his best, a fading force at 32.
“Judging Tottenham Hotspur’s captain against Ipswich Town’s naïve defence may not lead to the most accurate of conclusions but there were definite signs of a welcome revival in Son’s form.
“He created Brennan Johnson’s two goals with some of his old sleight of foot to deceive a defender and accurate delivery. Son will need replacing at some point, but not quite yet.”
| Son Heung-min v Ipswich Town | Stat |
| Minutes played | 74 |
| Assists (xA) | 2 (0.26) |
| Shot accuracy | 50% |
| Chances created (Big chances) | 3 (1) |
| Fouls won | 2 |
With all three points secured, Son was eventually replaced by Wilson Odobert, who has recently returned to the Tottenham team after injury, given a short rest ahead of Man City on Wednesday (26 February).
Ange Postecoglou already struggling without Harry Kane’s replacement
Dominic Solanke was supposed to be the big-money signing to finally replace the massive hole left by Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich, but he is another key figure on the sidelines.
Richarlison‘s £50million move from Everton has not worked out at all, spending more time in the treatment room than on the pitch, and moving Son on seems like a mistake waiting to happen.
Despite the South Korean’s drop in form this season, Postecoglou has stuck by him, a decision which might have even cost him his job if Daniel Levy had pulled the trigger at Tottenham.
Spurs will one day have to move on from their most veteran players, but with several stars out injured, getting more players in during the summer looks far more important.
Postecoglou is currently without Cristian Romero, Mickey van de Ven and Radu Dragusin in the centre of defence, eased slightly by the signing of Kevin Danso.
There is plenty of work to do once the summer transfer window opens up but searching for Son’s immediate replacement should not be part of that.