Is Tottenham considering Heung-min Son (33, Tottenham) as a means of making money?
Tottenham will face Newcastle United in a friendly match at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Aug. 3. Tickets sold out in 30 minutes, clearly benefiting from the Heung-min Son effect.
If Heung-min Son transfers to another team, this could be his last game wearing a Tottenham jersey. Being able to watch Premier League teams compete in Seoul without going to England is also a significant draw.
Tottenham is expected to consider Heung-min Son’s starting position in the Seoul match. It is a given that the captain of the Korean national team playing in the Seoul match is a key condition for attracting fans. Son’s participation is already included as a clause in the match contract. If Son doesn’t participate, Tottenham will have to pay a penalty.
However, even if Heung-min Son stays at Tottenham next season, his starting position is not guaranteed. The Evening Standard noted, “Son’s contract has one year left. It is now time for both the club and Son to make choices. Saudi Arabian and U.S. Major League Soccer clubs are approaching Son. LAFC is one of them. It is a time for Son to consider a new challenge. A legend’s ‘exit’ must also be beautiful,” implying a possible transfer for Son.
The signing of Mohammed Kudus has significantly impacted Son’s future. The Evening Standard in the UK reported on the 12th, “The addition of Mohammed Kudus marks the first step towards a Tottenham without Son. The transfer addition Kudus is a new option on the right flank. On the left, there is French prospect Mathys Tel. Between these two, Son’s position is gradually shrinking.”
Ultimately, Tottenham, wanting to transition into a new generation, hopes that even if Son stays, he will take on a leadership role to guide younger players, while not providing a starting position. It is uncertain whether Son, who has always played as a starter since his debut, will accept a bench role and stay with the team.
Heung-min Son’s decline in form is evident. Son scored 7 goals in the Premier League last season, the lowest figure since 2016, ending his streak of nine consecutive seasons with double-digit goals. Son’s stamina has decreased, and his explosive speed is no longer present. Son also started on the bench in the Europa League final. He has a large influence as a vocal leader within the team, but starting play is not guaranteed.
Local reports in the UK are stating, “Son can no longer keep up with the pace of the Premier League. His speed has noticeably slowed. He may need to transfer to a slower league to find success.”
However, it is problematic for Tottenham to treat Heung-min Son, a legend who has dedicated over a decade, this way. It evokes memories of Ki Sung-yueng, who left for Pohang after not being included in FC Seoul coach Kim Gi-dong’s plans.
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