Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) will ultimately miss six consecutive matches.
Tottenham will face West Ham in the 35th round of the 2024-25 Premier League at London Stadium in the United Kingdom on the 4th at 10 p.m. (Korean time). Tottenham, with 37 points, is in 16th place, while West Ham, with 36 points, is in 17th place. Although relegation has been avoided, a loss for Tottenham could see them drop to 17th place.
Tottenham is all in on winning the UEFA Europa League and is putting the league on the back burner. Still, their pride is at stake. If this continues, Tottenham will finish their worst season since the Premier League's inception.
The hope for Son Heung-min's participation has been dashed. "Spurs Express" reported, "Son Heung-min has finally returned to team training. He is training hard with the goal of returning for the second leg against Bode. Tottenham will play the second leg against Bode on the 9th. There is enough time for Son's return, but he will miss the West Ham match."
Son Heung-min's recovery has significant meaning. As the team's captain and ace, he serves as a mental pillar. "Spurs Express" noted, "Tottenham has not shown proper performance in important matches. If Son Heung-min, the captain and best player, returns, it has significant implications. Even though Son has struggled in 2025, he remains Tottenham's best striker," welcoming the return of Son Heung-min.
As Son Heung-min revs up for his return, it also boosts their chances of winning the UEFA Europa League. Tottenham won 3-1 against Norway's Bode in the first leg of the semifinals of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on May 2. If Tottenham draws in the second leg in Norway on the 9th, they will advance to the finals.
Son Heung-min's injury absence has extended. Tottenham advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Frankfurt with one win and one draw. However, an unforeseen situation arose. On the 11th, Son Heung-min suffered a foot injury from a deep tackle in the first leg against Frankfurt. Since then, Son has missed five consecutive matches.
Son Heung-min's absence from the match against West Ham jeopardizes his record achievement. Son finished acclimating to the Premier League with four goals in the 2015-16 season. He began with 14 goals the following year and has surpassed ten goals for eight consecutive years. Son particularly shared the top scorer title with Mohamed Salah in 2022 with 23 goals, becoming the first Asian player to win the Golden Boot.
This season, Son Heung-min has scored seven goals and recorded nine assists, which is below his usual performance. If this continues, Son's two-digit record will end at eight years. Son has not scored from open play for over three months since the match against Arsenal on Jan. 15.
With his absence from the West Ham match, Son Heung-min has only three remaining league matches: Crystal Palace (11th), Aston Villa (18th), and Brighton (26th).
Son Heung-min must score at least three goals in the remaining three league matches to maintain his record achievement. If it is Son Heung-min, who occasionally scores hat tricks, it is entirely possible.
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