Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) is reportedly at a crossroads regarding his position within the team.

British media outlet Football FanCast reported on the 22nd (Korean time) that "Enzi Postecoglou, the Tottenham manager, is looking to resolve the succession plan for Son Heung-min through internal promising players rather than bringing in resources from outside," noting that "17-year-old youth winger Mikey Moore is gaining attention." This has led to analysis that Son Heung-min could gradually distance himself from the core of the team.

Since joining Tottenham in 2015, Son Heung-min has established himself as a symbolic figure for the club, scoring 173 goals and providing 95 assists in 448 matches over nine seasons. Notably, in the 2021-2022 season, he became the Premier League's top scorer with 23 goals without any penalties. He is currently leading the team as captain.

However, there have been increasing voices pointing to his decline in performance. Football FanCast evaluated that "Son Heung-min turns 33 this summer" and that it is "time to consider a generational change." Statistics from the football analytics platform FBref support this. This season, Son's success rate in dribbling ranked in the bottom 46% among attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League, with a success rate in the bottom 27%.

There were also disappointing moments in national team matches. In the match against Oman on the 20th for the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers, Son lost the ball while attempting a forward pass near the penalty box in the 35th minute of the second half, leading to a goal being scored against his team. He also lacked aggressiveness during defensive transitions, losing the ball 19 times in that match alone.

Tottenham is preparing for life after Son Heung-min. Football FanCast identified Mikey Moore, who grew up in the club's academy, as the next-generation prospect. Moore recently showcased his exceptional dribbling and pressing ability in the UEFA Europa League match against AZ Alkmaar, making a notable impression. His teammate James Maddison said, "He is a fearless player," comparing Moore to Neymar.

Football FanCast remarked, "Son Heung-min is still a great player and a figure who will be remembered in the history of Tottenham and Korean football," while also adding, "If his playing time decreases in the future, young players like Moore can sufficiently fill the gap. Fans do not need to worry excessively."

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