Should Son Heung-min (33) leave, or should he continue his journey with Tottenham Hotspur into his 11th year? Opinions are divided in the UK as well.
Football London reported on the 27th (Korean time), "Son Heung-min's transfer dilemma - Should Tottenham keep the captain or sell him?" conveying the opinions of the club reporters regarding Son's situation.
Son Heung-min is a legend who has only played for Tottenham since 2015. He has grown into a world-class forward beyond the Premier League, recording 173 goals and 101 assists in 454 matches for Tottenham. He has also won the Premier League Golden Boot and the FIFA Puskás Award.
However, as Son Heung-min approaches the age of 33, evaluations have increased regarding him entering an 'aging curve.' Last season, he recorded 11 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, with 7 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League. Considering Tottenham's poor performance and Son's injuries, this is not a terrible record, but it has broken his streak of eight consecutive seasons with double-digit league goals, which had been ongoing since the 2016-2017 season.
Naturally, claims have emerged that it is time for Son Heung-min and Tottenham to part ways. According to the Telegraph, he has already left the impression with teammates that he has played his final match for Tottenham. Furthermore, Alasdair Gold, a reporter inside Tottenham, noted that while Son's future has not yet been decided, the likelihood of him leaving Tottenham is higher than ever.
Football London also pointed out, "It seems Tottenham and Son Heung-min are at a crossroads. The Korean star Son Heung-min became the Tottenham captain who lifted a trophy for the first time since Ledley King last season, but he may leave before the next season starts."
The media also added, "According to rumors, Son Heung-min is involved in a transfer to Saudi Arabia. With one year left on his contract, now could be the perfect time for him to leave the club after winning the UEFA Europa League."
Opinions within Football London were also sharply divided. First, Sam Truelove stated, "Everything depends on Son Heung-min. He deserves to make the choice of whether to stay for another year or leave after 10 years. However, in my opinion, he should stay for another year," and emphasized, "We should not underestimate Son Heung-min's leadership. His experience will be invaluable given that manager Ange Postecoglou has left."
Matthew Abbott shared a similar view. He noted, "Keeping Son Heung-min for next season would be worth more than any transfer fee received from selling the captain this summer," and remarked, "It would be worth the gamble to keep him to see if he can regain his form. Like Mohamed Salah recently did, it could lead to a new contract."
However, opposing opinions are also significant. Kieran King remarked, "It's a difficult decision, but it might be better to reinvest the money from selling Son Heung-min in a new left winger. Son Heung-min, who will turn 33 in July, has been playing for Tottenham for 10 years, and now may be the right time to let him go," adding, "He will be one of the players to sell. His level dropped last season, and a younger alternative is needed."
Tom Kollie emphasized the need for a rational judgment. He stated, "A fresh start under a Frank regime feels like a good time for Son Heung-min to leave. If he is thinking about a transfer, that would be ideal for everyone. This could be the last opportunity to secure a transfer fee. Although it's hard to say goodbye to Son Heung-min, it's better to be honest in these discussions," advising to think logically.
Former Tottenham players are also calling for a 'beautiful farewell' for Son Heung-min. Chris Waddle, who played as a winger for both Tottenham and the England national team, pointed out, "All players have their own sales deadlines. If Son Heung-min were playing in another European league, we could probably say he has a few more years left. But the Premier League is fast, physical, and demanding. Honestly, he has not been able to keep up with the pace."
Jamie O'Hara, a former Tottenham midfielder, holds a similar opinion. He stated, "If a big opportunity arises, I would let Son Heung-min leave. I think he has reached the end in terms of being a top-level player. Perhaps he should move to a slightly slower league," adding, "Now, the Premier League is too fast for Son Heung-min. He has lost his pace."
For now, it is likely that Son Heung-min will remain until Tottenham's Asian tour that starts at the end of next month. Football London noted, "One thing is certain: Son Heung-min will participate in the pre-season tour visiting Korea. Due to sponsorship contracts, the possibility of him being sold before then is very low."
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Saudi Arabia is a potential destination for Son Heung-min. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, clubs such as Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Qadisiyah are preparing massive offers, including a transfer fee of 40 million euros (approximately 63.4 billion won) and total wages of 90 million euros (approximately 142.6 billion won) over three years to acquire Son Heung-min. There is considerable speculation that Son, who firmly rejected a move to Saudi Arabia two years ago, may make a different choice this time.
[Photo] Tottenham news, Tottenham social media.
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