Why Son Heung-min’s form has dipped at Tottenham amid questions over future | OneFootball

Son Heung-min has dedicated the last decade of his career to Tottenham Hotspur and has been a massive hit both on and off the pitch. But it’s difficult to think what else he can give.

The South Korean will turn 33 this July and he’s already showing signs that he cannot produce the same, mazy dribbling runs down the flanks that he has become renowned for in the Premier League. Tottenham fans have vented their frustration at forward for consistently refusing to take on his man and lacking sparkle in front of goal.

Son has played 448 times for Spurs — the fifth-highest of any player in the club’s history — and scored 173 goals along the way. But he has bore the brunt of criticism amid the team’s turbulent 2024-25 campaign.

Tottenham’s captain has been unable to inspire his teammates after their slump to 14th in the Premier League this season. And he himself has admitted he is entering the twilight years of his sensational career after some eye-opening comments at the end of 2024.

He said: “I’m 32, sadly, so for me every single game is one that I want to take really seriously, because every game that passes, I know it’s never going to come back. So every single game I want to take seriously and treat it like it’s the last game of my career.”

But has he really treated every game like it’s the last of his career? The stats show Son has missed six big chances — the fifth highest of the Tottenham squad — but he leads Spurs for big chances created, on 16. The evidence in his decline this season lies in his alarming lack of adventure when it comes to taking on defenders.

Son has attempted 65 take-ons this season and completed just 28 of them. To put that into perspective, Dejan Kulusevski – who has primarily played through the middle this season, has attempted 99 take ons and completed 35. James Maddison, who also plays centrally, has attempted 65 and completed one more than Son. Even full-back Djed Spence — who has played 10 games fewer — has completed 26 take-ons, just two fewer than Son.

When it comes to take-ons completed per 90 minutes, Son clocks in at just 1.35, which ranks him eighth among Tottenham players. Timo Werner, who has been scolded by fans for poor displays on the wing this season, has a higher take-ons completed per 90 with 1.77. Leading the way are Djed Spence (2.2) Wilson Odobert (2.05) and Lucas Bergvall (1.84).

Out of Premier League stars who have managed at least 1,800 minutes in the top flight, Son ranks 19th for take-ons attempted per 90 (3.14) and 24th for take-ons completed per 90. In the same ranking, Son is 18th for total shots per 90 (2.51), 15th for touches in the opposition box and 18th for Expected Goals per 90. For crosses completed, he ranks 23rd with 0.87.

So Son is taking on fewer defenders, putting in fewer crosses and also taking fewer shots this season. There’s no hiding place for him — there’s been a clear drop-off in his attacking intent. It’s to his credit — and a clear sign of his natural ability — that he’s still managed 10 goals and 11 assists in all competitions and that’s why he’s started 21 games under Ange Postecoglou this season.

He has the knack of making something happen even when things aren’t going his way. It’s the consistency he’s lacked this season but that didn’t stop Tottenham from handing him a new one-year deal at the start of this year.

Some Tottenham fans — while grateful of the loyal service Son has provided since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 — might have been left scratching their heads over the decision based on his performances on the pitch. But based on his performances off the pitch, it’s a no brainer.

Son is a commercial goldmine for Spurs. He attract hundreds of South Korean fans each week who come to watch their hero in action, with the country’s flag often held up at the front rows at the Tottenham Hotspur week in, week out. Son is a superstar in South Korea and that’s been demonstrated in the incredible numbers coming out of the club’s shop.

According to the Times, Tottenham sold around 700 Son shirts every matchday in the 2022-23 season — more than Harry Kane — and that number has now increased to more than 1,000 since the England striker joined Bayern Munich.

He has been a key figure front and centre of Tottenham’s advertising campaigns and is one of the main faces representing shirt sponsor AIA, being involved heavily in their advertisements in Asia.

So it’s no surprise that Tottenham have continued to back Son, regardless of his inconsistency, given the commercial pull he brings from the Asian markets. After signing South Korean teenager Yang Min-hyeok, Tottenham will surely be hoping for the same impact in years to come when Son is long gone.

There will have to be some more future planning from the club for when he eventually departs – with Odobert and teenager Mikey Moore seen as the next in line who can dazzle for Tottenham on the wing, but for now the situation is one that works for them.

Son is a popular figure in the dressing room and one of the team’s longest-serving players. There is absolutely no doubt about his work ethic — there might just be signs that his age is catching up to him and he can no longer meet the demands of English football at the top level.

While some have criticised Son for not being vocal enough as a captain, his team-mate Spence recently gushed about him and hailed his efforts in training.

“I mean, depends on what you want from your captain, like you say, he’s not your typical…shouting and stuff and digging people out. I feel like, he’s more like, lead by example, you know,” he told Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel.

“In early every day, does the right things and just sets the example on the pitch, trains hard every day and when it comes to matchday, he gives his best so I think just numbers speak for themselves and in that regard, shows the example like that.”

There were also big compliments from new boy on the block Archie Gray, who said: “He’s definitely a world-class player and as a person, he’s probably one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. Ever since I first moved to the club, he always sat down and had breakfast with me every morning.”

Tottenham take on Chelsea next Thursday in a huge London derby to kickstart their season again after the international break and Son will be expected to start. The next few games will be crucial for how this season is viewed – with the club still in the Europa League too ahead of a quarter-final tie coming up against Eintracht Frankfurt on April 10.

One thing is clear — Son remains a popular figure in the dressing room and in the board room. He still has a contract until 2026, so he’s here to stay for now. To keep the fans onside, he will have start delivering on his promise to play every game like it’s his last.