Even after a decade of dedication, time waits for no one. 'Captain' Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) has found himself at the center of a scenario of separation from Tottenham amid criticism and fluctuating fan sentiment.
On the 26th (Korea time), Tottenham recorded a 2-2 draw in a preseason friendly match against Wycombe Wanderers. Despite scoring the first goal, they allowed a comeback due to a shaky defense, and managed to equalize thanks to Sar's multi-goal performance. The issue was Son Heung-min's underperformance, which was more shocking than the overall performance.
Son Heung-min roamed between the left flank and the frontline for 75 minutes, but displayed a performance that did not befit his prime, with only 3 shots, 1 chance created, 1 successful dribble, and 7 touches inside the box. British media 'Tottenham News' rated Son Heung-min at 4, which was equal to goalkeeper Austin, who made mistakes directly leading to goals.
The media criticized, "Son Heung-min was invisible. In the first half, he failed to exploit the opponent's defense at all, and aside from a few glimpses in the second half, there was not much difference from the match against Reading." This criticism went beyond simple performance issues and linked to transfer rumors.
Tottenham fans reacted similarly. British 'TBR Football' reported, "Among fans, the opinion that it is time for Son Heung-min to leave is predominant. His prime seems to have passed, and the argument that he should part ways for the team is growing stronger."
In fact, many fans commented, "Son is a legend. But he should leave before it's too late," "To preserve his legacy, he should part ways at the top," and "There's no emotion. It's now time to move on." This indicates the reality that for 33-year-old Son Heung-min, Tottenham may no longer be a solid refuge.
With the situation as it is, Son Heung-min's transfer rumors are once again heating up. The most likely destination is LAFC in Major League Soccer (MLS). 'Daily Mail' reported, "LAFC has made Son Heung-min their top priority for summer recruitment. They have already contacted Son's side and are preparing a transfer fee of £15 million to £20 million (about 27.9 billion won to 37.8 billion won)."
Tottenham also expressed that they would respect his wishes. While there is still a contract with the club, Chairman Daniel Levy has left open the possibility of paving the way for Son Heung-min to leave if he wishes.
The transfer to Saudi Arabia, which was once a possibility, has effectively ended. Both 'The Guardian' and 'Daily Mail' reported, "Saudi clubs are currently showing no particular interest in Son Heung-min."
Ultimately, Son Heung-min's choices have narrowed down to two paths: stay at Tottenham and burn the last flame or move to MLS and start a new challenge. At this moment, where fans' expectations and criticisms intersect, Son Heung-min stands at a decisive point to write the last chapter of his career.
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