No matter how impressive Heung-min Son (33, Tottenham Hotspur) is, he cannot escape the passage of time. The atmosphere of farewell is approaching faster than expected. Tottenham fans could not hide their disappointment as they observed Son slowing down.

The British public broadcaster BBC reported on the 11th (Korean time) that "'Age affects us all' - The verdict of fans on Son's form," conveying local fans' responses regarding Son's recent performance.

A fan who identified himself as 'Shawn' noted, "Personally, I think Son's problem is that he is now 32 years old, and turning 33 is not far off, which indicates a physical decline. It was inevitable that this would happen soon. Tottenham fans must accept that he cannot play 3 to 4 days apart. Son needs a week of rest and seems to lack confidence."

There were also claims that Son should step down from the captaincy. Concerns were raised that the responsibility as a captain seems to weigh heavily on him. A fan named 'Richard' said, "I would take the captain's armband from Son and give it to Cristian Romero. Let him show himself freely."

Other fans also shared similar opinions. They do not deny Son's brilliant performance and dedication shown at Tottenham, but they acknowledge that he can no longer avoid the 'aging curve.' 'Ren' expressed, "I feel sorry for Son. However, age affects us all. He is no longer the outstanding player he once was. He should be brought down to the bench for the team."

A fan who introduced himself as 'Lori' also mentioned, "Son was a great player at the club and still shows flashes of brilliance rarely. However, he should be a strong impact player. If he faces tired defenders an hour after kick-off, he could have a better effect. If Mathys Tel or Wilson Odobert starts, the pace will tire the opposing defense."

There were also suggestions for a new manager who could leverage Son's strengths and compensate for his weaknesses. They mentioned that the current manager, Ange Postecoglou, should be dismissed for continuously keeping wingers far from the goal and allowing full-backs to penetrate the box and the center.

A fan named 'Charlie' said, "Son is slowing down as he gets older. I believe this significantly impacts his performance. We need to appoint a manager who can help him be effective in the game without speed."

On the same day, Son also bowed his head during the match against Eintracht Frankfurt. On this day, Tottenham drew 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) quarter-finals held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.

Tottenham, having failed to seize the initiative at home, now must win next week's away match against Frankfurt to avoid elimination. The second leg between the two teams will take place on the 18th at Deutsche Bank Park.

Son was selected as the left forward in a 4-3-3 formation. However, he did not make a remarkable impact. He missed a free-kick opportunity with a high cross, and a sharp shot was stopped by the opposing goalkeeper's save. Ultimately, Son was substituted for Tel in the 34th minute of the second half while the score was still 1-1.

In the UK, Son received harsh criticism. 'Football London' gave him a rating of 5, stating, "Aside from a good shot early in the second half, he did not meet expectations as a captain." 'Goal.com' commented, "If Postecoglou could replay this match, he would have instructed Son not to dribble against defenders (or should have). He lost the ball too easily and was rarely a threat in crucial areas," giving him a rating of 4.

BBC reporter Nizar Kinsella also pointed out Son's poor performance. He stated, "It seems that Son is no longer an indispensable player for Tottenham Hotspur. Just a short time ago, it was unimaginable to substitute forward Son in a situation where Tottenham was chasing victory. However, in the match against Frankfurt, which the club announcer called 'the most important match of the season,' he was substituted for Tel."

Kinsella also remarked, "Postecoglou's decision to replace Son with Tel was entirely correct because he was struggling and not impacting the game," adding, "This season, Son does not look as fast or sharp as before. He cannot penetrate behind the defense to score or make quick half-yard (45 cm) touches."

Son also set another record that day. Since Tottenham's founding in 1882, no player has appeared in more European matches than him. Kinsella stated, "There is no doubt that Son is a Tottenham legend. He sets a record with his 67th appearance in European competitions, tying with Harry Kane for the most appearances in the club's history."

However, evaluations suggest that the time for farewell is approaching. Kinsella emphasized, "Unlike Kane, Son's influence is diminishing as his speed decreases. He has scored only one goal in the last 17 matches, that being a penalty kick against Bournemouth at home. It seems that Son is no longer an indispensable player for Tottenham."

Opinions from both BBC and local Tottenham fans somewhat align. Neither Kinsella nor the fans deny that Son is a legend for Tottenham, but it seems they feel that the timing for a beautiful farewell is approaching or that they must acknowledge the passage of time and reduce Son's role in the team.

Heung-min Son and Tottenham are having a hard time this season. He has struggled with hamstring injuries and aging while tactically moving further away from the goal, managing to score only 7 goals and provide 10 assists in the league. Tottenham has also suffered 16 defeats in 31 league matches, recording their worst performance since 1977.

The upcoming summer is likely to be a crucial moment for both Son and Tottenham. It will determine whether they will part ways after 10 years or continue together until retirement. It seems that anything could happen.

One thing is certain: even if Son leaves Tottenham without a trophy, he will remain a legend in the club's history. He joined Tottenham in 2015 after leaving Bayer Leverkusen and has never changed teams since. Wearing the number 7 jersey, he has scored 173 goals and provided 96 assists in 451 matches.

Earlier, the Tottenham fan community 'To the Rain and Back' also noted, "Son has been a loyal servant since joining Tottenham in 2015. The term legend is used too easily in football, but No. 7 at Tottenham is a legend of the club and arguably the best player in the club's history. Son is loved by all fans and performs weekly for Tottenham."

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