Son Heung-min’s ‘legs have gone’ as ‘Tottenham replacement secured’
Tottenham are planning to keep Son Heung-min at the club beyond the end of the season, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the 32-year-old is still considered an important player in Ange Postecoglou’s side.
However, he explained that there are lingering concerns about his performances this season which could see Spurs look for a long-term replacement.
Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider on 9 February that Mathys Tel is viewed as Son’s replacement amid plans to make his loan spell permanent.
The forward has scored just six goals and provided nine assists in 23 appearances for Tottenham so far this season, and has failed to carry the team through a difficult period.
Brown explained that he might be slowing down and losing his pace, which previously made him such a dangerous option in Spurs’ attack.
However, any talk about a summer departure is premature as he remains the club captain and a key player in their plans for the future.
Tottenham make Son Heung-min decision amid exit rumours
Brown told Football Insider earlier this month that Tottenham staff have been concerned by Son’s performances amid speculation about his future at the club.
However, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted that they are prepared to stick with him despite their concerns.
“I think they want to keep him and I expect them to stick with him,” he told Football Insider.
“But earlier on this season, Tottenham were struggling and you kept thinking he’s not doing enough to help them turn things around.
“I was looking at him and wondering whether he’s losing his legs a bit.
“I still think that might be the case, because he’s definitely dropped off a bit this season, he’s become less and less effective for shorter times in the games.
“He might be carrying an injury or something behind the scenes, you never know.
“But there are certainly question marks about his level of performance.
“He doesn’t look like the Son we’ve seen in the past.
“So yes, I think they’ll stick with him because at the end of the day he’s their captain and he’s been an important player for them.
“But long-term I’m not convinced he’ll be so much of a key player in this side.”
Ange Postecoglou aiming to keep star players amid exit links
Despite a disappointing season so far at Tottenham, Postecoglou is keen to keep his key players at the club with the aim to making progress in the future.
Son is not the only star man to have been linked with an exit, though, as Football Insider revealed in 15 February that Liverpool want to sign Micky van de Ven.
The 23-year-old has been injured for a large spell of this season, in a blow which has coincided with the team’s dramatic drop in form.
As a result, he is still seen as a crucial part of their first-team plans and Spurs are keen not to lose him to a direct Premier League rival come the end of the season.
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