Son Heung-min ranks fourth among Premier League strikers, ties with Isak

No matter how much criticism is directed, this is the reality. Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) is still a Premier League-level striker. The numbers prove it.

The PL stated on the 28th (Korea time), "We introduce the best players by position of the season at 'Sorare'!" and unveiled 10 strikers who are demonstrating the most excellent performances in the 2024-2025 PL season. The ranking was based on average scores given by the sports game corporations Sorare.

The top position is undoubtedly Mohamed Salah (Liverpool). He has recorded 27 goals and 17 assists in the league this season, leading both in scoring and assists. He also claimed the overwhelming first place with an average score of 77.

In second place is Matheus Cunha (65 points), who is leading Wolverhampton's attack. He has scored 13 goals and provided 4 assists, struggling in 17th place with Wolverhampton. Had it not been for Cunha's contributions, being the team's top scorer and provider of the most attacking points, Wolverhampton might have already been on the brink of relegation.

Cole Palmer (Chelsea, 63 points) narrowly takes third place. With 14 goals and 6 assists, he is central to Chelsea's attack. Although the team has been faltering recently, he remains indispensable to Chelsea.

Son Heung-min’s name is also mentioned. He received 61 points, placing him in a tie for fourth alongside Alexander Isak (Newcastle). This is proof of how high Son's status is.

The 192cm tall striker Isak is having his best season yet. Regarded as a 'hexagonal striker', he has scored 19 goals and provided 5 assists in 25 league matches, even scoring the decisive goal in the League Cup (Carabao Cup) final against Liverpool, leading Newcastle to their first title in the competition.

Naturally, his market value is skyrocketing. Isak is currently attracting interest from several big clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool. According to the football statistics outlet 'Transfermarkt', his market value is estimated at a staggering 100 million euros (approximately 160 billion won). However, Newcastle is determined to keep Isak, and it is unknown how much it would actually take to secure him.

Son Heung-min is also ranked among the hottest strikers in the PL, receiving the same score. 'Monster striker' Erling Haaland (Manchester City, 58 points), Amad Diallo (Manchester United, 60 points), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford, 58 points), and Anthony Gordon (Newcastle, 57 points) all scored below Son.

Son Heung-min has been suffering from excessive criticism throughout this season. His contract with Tottenham is valid until the summer of 2026, but there are also many claims that he should leave the team this summer. There are even remarks questioning Son's leadership, suggesting that he should step down from the captaincy.

It is true that Son Heung-min has experienced ups and downs. As he approaches the age of 33, it is inevitable that his performance may begin to decline. Additionally, a hamstring injury and overload are compounding, making it difficult to avoid fluctuations.

This season, Son Heung-min's performance stands at 40 matches, 11 goals, and 11 assists. While these are not poor numbers, they are not satisfactory for Son. Notably, he has only 7 goals in 26 league matches, putting his streak of double-digit goals for eight consecutive seasons at risk of ending.

Above all, Tottenham is experiencing its worst slump. The team has been eliminated in both the League Cup and FA Cup, and is currently sitting in 14th place in the Premier League (PL). Their league record stands at 15 losses out of 29 matches. Although 9 matches remain, they are already tied for the most losses since the 2008-2009 season.

As the team struggles, there is excessive blame being placed on captain Son Heung-min. Discussions about the possibility of his departure from Tottenham are also emerging. 'Tottenham News' stated, "It has been a grim season for Tottenham. The same could be said for Son Heung-min. He was once renowned as a top-level striker in the PL. However, Son's decline is truly unfortunate, and it seems only a matter of time before his tenure at Tottenham comes to an end."

Many Tottenham fans argue that Son Heung-min should be sold to generate funds for acquiring a replacement. Young strikers like Tyler Dibbling and Justin Kluivert are already being connected to Tottenham.

However, realistically, there are few strikers better than Son Heung-min at Tottenham. He currently leads the team with 7 goals and 9 assists, marking the highest assists and attacking points for the team. While his scoring ability may have declined, his impact on the pitch remains significant.

Earlier, the British outlet 'Football London' also pointed out excessive criticism of Son Heung-min by comparing him to Salah. The media noted, "Although Tottenham is struggling in the lower ranks, Son Heung-min has recorded quite a number of impressive stats this season. Only 3 players in the PL have created more big chances than Son Heung-min," and emphasized that "Son is clearly demonstrating creativity on the wings. This suggests that the criticism directed at him may be misplaced."

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