Will the 10 years of companionship finally come to an end? The calls for Son Heung-min (33) to leave Tottenham Hotspur are growing louder.
The British outlet 'TBR Football' reported on the 27th (Korea time) that 'Gabriel Agbonlahor suggested that Tottenham has their own Kevin De Bruyne. He stated that the situation of Son Heung-min and Tottenham is similar to that of De Bruyne and Manchester City.'
The media noted, 'It is never easy to part ways with a club legend who is beginning to age. In fact, we have seen countless examples of this over the years. Chelsea released John Terry, and even Steven Gerrard had to leave Liverpool in the twilight of his career.'
Tottenham and Son Heung-min are no exception. TBR Football added, 'In recent years, Tottenham has let go of Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, and Hugo Lloris. Now, Son Heung-min is in a similar situation. He has faced significant criticism this season, with some even calling for his sale.'
Agbonlahor, who played as an England international forward, has voiced similar assertions. The media explained, 'Agbonlahor spoke about the decline of Son Heung-min. Experts noted that Son seems to have lost his speed, asserting that it is time to part ways, similar to De Bruyne and Manchester City.'
Agbonlahor recently stated through 'Talk Sport,' 'I see a player like Son Heung-min. He was an outstanding player for Tottenham. In his prime, he was incredibly fast. But having watched him last season and this season, he has not shown that lightning speed.'
He added, 'Son will turn 33 years old in July. It seems that now is the time for Tottenham to let him go. De Bruyne is leaving Manchester City. It's a similar scenario.'
Son Heung-min's contract runs until the summer of 2026. In January, Tottenham opted to activate only a one-year extension option instead of proposing a renewal. Consequently, the possibility of Son leaving the team as a free agent at the end of this season has also been eliminated.
Nevertheless, rumors of Son Heung-min's transfer continue. 'Tottenham News' stated, 'It has been a grim season for Tottenham. The same can be said for Son Heung-min. He once held the reputation of being one of the top attackers in the Premier League. However, Son's decline is truly unfortunate, and it seems only a matter of time before his Tottenham career ends.'
The biggest reason is, of course, the passage of time. As Son Heung-min approaches his mid-30s, a decline in his abilities is inevitable. With physical issues piling up, he has been unable to avoid inconsistency.
In particular, Son Heung-min is experiencing a difficult time with the team this season. Tottenham has been eliminated from both the League Cup and the FA Cup and is positioned 14th in the Premier League (PL). The league record stands at 15 losses in 29 matches. Although there are still 9 matches remaining, it has already tied for the most losses since the 2008-2009 season.
Son Heung-min is also experiencing some disappointment as he deals with a hamstring injury and overload. His seasonal performance includes 11 goals and 11 assists in 40 matches. While these numbers are not bad, they are not satisfactory for Son. Particularly in the league, he has managed only 7 goals in 26 matches, putting his streak of double-digit goal seasons at serious risk.
This has led to excessive criticism directed at Son Heung-min. Some argue that he should give up the captaincy due to a lack of leadership, while others suggest he should be sold at a low price this summer. Figures such as Jamie O'Hara and Harry Redknapp, former Tottenham players, have been among the loudest critics.
It is true that Tottenham should start preparing for a generational change regarding Son Heung-min. However, care must be taken not to overlook the fact that there are hardly any players currently in Tottenham's attack who display greater skill than Son Heung-min. This is the reason why opposing voices about the rumors of his release continue.
'Football London' drew parallels between Son Heung-min and Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah, criticizing the excessive scrutiny. The media stated, 'Fans may have differing opinions on what a captain should do and what they should bring to the team. However, what should be assessed is the outcome on the pitch. Despite Tottenham's struggles at the bottom of the table, Son Heung-min has recorded quite a number of statistics this season.'
Football London explained, 'Only 3 players in the Premier League have created more big chances than Son Heung-min. Son has created 16, while Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer each created 19, and Salah created 21 big chances. Thanks to this, Son Heung-min has provided 9 assists in the league. The only players with more assists than him are Saka, Antonee Robinson, Mikkel Damsgaard, and Salah.'
The media also noted, 'Son Heung-min has many shortcomings in scoring. However, he is definitely doing what is necessary in terms of creativity on the wing. There are only 3 players who have hit the woodwork more than he has this season, which could suggest he has been unlucky.' This indicates that the criticism directed at Son Heung-min this season could be misplaced.
The ideal scenario would be for Tottenham to gradually prepare to part ways with Son Heung-min. TBR Football also advised, 'No matter how you look at it, Son Heung-min is not a bad player. He is still influencing Tottenham's attack. However, he is not at the level he was when he was the top scorer. Even if now is not the time to sell Son Heung-min, it is time to find ways to rely on him less.'
Justin Kluivert, who is currently active at Bournemouth, is being mentioned as a potential replacement for Son Heung-min. His market value is reported to be around £45 million (approximately 81 billion won). Tottenham News stated, 'After signing Kluivert, Tottenham could proceed with the release of Son Heung-min. If they can find a suitable replacement, Son may be preparing for a transfer this summer.'
Kluivert is a 175 cm winger with quick feet, dribbling ability, and outstanding use of both feet. He can play centrally and on the wing, and possesses scoring ability, allowing him to function as a second striker. He shares many similarities with Son Heung-min in terms of finishing ability.
Tottenham News argued that signing Kluivert should be a must. The media emphasized, 'Considering Kluivert's skill and age, the price is very reasonable,' adding, 'Daniel Levy, the chairman of Tottenham, must push for a contract with Kluivert. Whatever happens until the end of the season, strengthening in the summer is essential. Kluivert is exactly the type they need.'
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