Tottenham Hotspur crumbled once again during the away match against Chelsea. However, an issue beyond performance erupted immediately after the match. This was because a stark difference was revealed in the attitudes of captain Son Heung-min (33) and vice-captain James Maddison (29, both of Tottenham) toward the fans.
Tottenham lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the 30th round of the 2024-2025 Premier League held at Stamford Bridge in London, England, at 4 a.m. on the 4th (Korea time).
As a result, Tottenham remained in 14th place in the league with 34 points (10 wins, 4 draws, and 16 losses). Tottenham experienced the humiliation of suffering 16 losses in 30 matches for the first time since 1977.
After the match, Son Heung-min's actions sparked considerable controversy on social media. It was due to Son Heung-min's "gesture." Claims surfaced on social media that Son had made a gesture suggesting the Tottenham away fans should be quiet.
One account reported on the 4th that manager Ange Postecoglou clashed with the Tottenham away fans, stating, "Son Heung-min also made a gesture telling the away fans to be quiet. Tottenham is truly a toxic team. The players, coach, and owner are all at war with the fans. Patience has completely run out."
They added, "Regardless of whether the fans jeered at manager Postecoglou or not, it is unacceptable for Son Heung-min to make a gesture telling the fans to 'be quiet.' I thought he was the only player who could understand the reasons for the fans' anger," expressing deep disappointment in Son Heung-min.
Son Heung-min struggled in this match as well. He created crucial moments with a left-footed shot in the 36th minute and a thrown body shot at the end of the second half, but he repeatedly bowed his head as he was thwarted by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez's saves. His rating only reached 5 points (Football London), and evaluations indicated that his overall impact had decreased.
Regardless of the match performance, the way captain Son Heung-min responded to the fans was quite shocking. If the rumors are true, it could be interpreted as a provocation of the fans' anger. While it may seem like an emotional reaction to the fans' jeers, given the significance and influence of his role as captain, the meaning is far from trivial.
In contrast, James Maddison showed an attitude of wanting to accept the fans' anger during the post-match interview. In an interview with Sky Sports, he stated, "This kind of thing has happened too often this season. The fans are disappointed, and so are we," expressing empathy.
He continued, "We have lost too many matches by a single goal. The result has never been in our favor at the last moment. Whatever I say here, the fans are not going to want to hear it, and I understand that. Therefore, I think it's natural for the fans to jeer at us."
Maddison's comments were not just simple excuses, but responses based on an 'understanding' of the fans' emotions. His intent to bridge the gap with the fans was clearly evident, and he conveyed an impression of feeling responsibility as the vice-captain. His calmness stood out even more in the turbulent situation.
Football London noted the 'dissonance' between Son Heung-min and Maddison on the field. The media reported, "Tottenham, quickly launching a counterattack, saw Son Heung-min catch the ball on the left side of the box. He opted for a shot himself, but was blocked by Malo Gusto's defense. At that moment, Maddison was completely free in front of the box. He quickly joined the attack and was in a perfect position, but when Son chose not to pass, he expressed disappointment by throwing up his arms and turning away."
They added, "This was clearly a disappointing choice by Son, and afterward, Tottenham struggled to create almost any goal-scoring chances."
With the loss against Chelsea, Tottenham is now distancing itself from a European competition spot. If they fail to win the UEFA Europa League, their chances of qualifying for the Champions League will be dashed. As the season progresses, the team is increasingly losing confidence, and both their performance and results are regressing. During such times, the presence of a leader to stabilize the team becomes crucial.
If the content shared by the account is true, the differing attitudes of Son Heung-min and Maddison toward the fans revealed in this match may not simply end as a happening. The fact that the captain and vice-captain are producing differing interpretations regarding their distance from the fans symbolically reflects the situation the team, Tottenham, is currently in.
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