"Worst captain Son Heung-min, terminate the contract!"

Tottenham lost 0-2 to Fulham in the 29th round of the 2024-2025 Premier League on the 16th (Korean time) at Craven Cottage in London, England. As a result, Tottenham recorded three consecutive winless matches in the league.

Despite successfully overturning against AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) Round of 16 second leg, changing the momentum, they continued their poor performance.

Starting without Son Heung-min, Tottenham struggled throughout the match and eventually brought in Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura at the start of the second half.

Son Heung-min, the captain and star striker of Tottenham, has entered the pitch at the start of the second half in back-to-back regular league matches following the Bournemouth match in Round 28 (2-2 draw). Including being substituted in the middle of the second half in Round 27 against Manchester City, he has appeared as a joker in the second half for three consecutive matches.

The frustrating flow continued afterward. Even though changes were made to the offense by bringing in James Maddison and Wilson Odobert, it was the same. In the 33rd minute of the second half, they conceded a goal to Rodrigo Muniz, falling behind 0-1. Former Tottenham player Ryan Sessegnon was brought on in the 42nd minute of the second half and scored just one minute after entering the field, upsetting his former team.

On the 10th, in the match against Bournemouth, Son Heung-min played a crucial role in leading the team to a 2-2 draw by inducing a penalty kick and scoring it himself while Tottenham was trailing 0-1.

The Fulham match was different. Son Heung-min was actively running on the pitch but did not make a significant contribution.

Son Heung-min has recorded 7 goals and 9 assists in the Premier League this season.

Adding to that his records in the UEFA Europa League (3 goals and 2 assists), FA Cup (1 assist), and League Cup (1 goal), he has accumulated a total of 11 goals and 12 assists in official matches.

According to football statistics outlet Foot Mob, Son Heung-min recorded statistics including an 86% pass success rate, 4 successful crosses, 3 chances created, 3 recoveries, 1 shot, 1 successful ground duel, 1 successful aerial duel, and 1 foul committed, shining in the match.

However, it is true that there were a few instances where he did not look like himself. Son Heung-min was seen scolding Destiny Udogie for overlapping paths in the middle of the second half and, at times, failed to hide his emotions after the match, raising questions. It seemed like a captain's frustration who could not prevent the team's defeat.

Football London noted, "Tottenham created more scoring opportunities in the second half but failed to capitalize, as Dominic Solanke missed a scoring chance," expressing disappointment.

Regarding Son Heung-min, who came on in the second half, it stated, "He delivered several threatening free kicks and created good chances for Solanke at the end of the match but could not find a decisive breakthrough," giving him a low rating of 5 points.

In contrast, Yves Bissouma, who performed poorly, received a rating of 3 points, while Ben Davies received 4 points.

After the match, Tottenham's coach Ange Postecoglou reflected, "We were quite solid defensively in the first half. The start of the second half was very positive, and we had chances to take the lead. However, we conceded too easily and lost the game." Regarding the decision to rotate the starters, he explained, "I told the players that I wouldn't allow them to only think about UEL. We needed to gain something from the match."

Tottenham Hotspur News reported after the match, "Following the defeat to Fulham, calls from fans have surfaced saying that Tottenham should terminate their contract with Son Heung-min," and that "Son Heung-min's popularity among Tottenham fans is dropping, and fans have been angered. The player who drew the ire of fans was Son Heung-min, who played only half of the match."

In particular, after a video showing Son Heung-min appearing dejected after the match was shared, fans directed their criticism at him, saying, "One of the greatest wingers in history but also one of the worst captains," "Same reaction every time we lose," and "It seems like he's trying to act concerned by quickly pulling his shirt up."

Son Heung-min will return home after the match against Fulham. He will join the South Korea national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, to prepare for the A-Match in March.

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