Shock!"SON's worst captain in history"→ Are you sure you will break up with Tottenham? ...Is it the aftermath of strong criticism from fans

Sep 21, 2024

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Along with shocking criticisms of Son Heung-min, there are even claims that Son Heung-min will now leave Tottenham.

England's Football Fancast reported on the 20th (Korea time) 'Tottenham can appoint another ace instead of Son Heung-min as captain'

Football FanCast said: `Tottenham and Coach Enze Postecoglou could consider taking Son's captaincy and changing it to another player. Son has yet to sign a new contract and may not be with Tottenham for the future, he said, handing over Son's captain's armband to another player and saying Son could also leave the team.

The candidate who could receive the armband instead of Son Heung-min was vice-captain Christian Romero and James Madison, but Guglielmo Vicario. Vicario has been outstanding since joining Tottenham last season. This season, it is regrettable in the set-piece defense, but he is still defending Tottenham's goal as his good defense skills remain.

Football FanCast said 'Tottenham could pick Vicario as a replacement. Tottenham need a candidate to replace Son if he leaves in 2026 by activating his contract extension option. Vicario can be the captain. This is similar to the case of Hugo Lloris, who has been a captain for Tottenham for a long time. Tottenham also show confidence in Vicario and want to make him their new Lloris, explaining that Son could be pushed out of the captaincy and Vicario could take the position. It seems that Son Heung-min predicted that if he took the captain's position from Son Heung-min and replaced it with Vicario, he could make a different choice without remaining at the club.

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Son Heung-min has already received attention from European big clubs recently, so there is a possibility that Son Heung-min will leave. Spain's Todo Pichahes said 'Atletico is one of the teams with the most moves in the transfer market this summer. Led the league in terms of investment. Julián Álvarez joined as a major player, and he was called to lead Atletico's future. However, the team's leadership continues to make efforts and intends to continue the line for the reorganization of the team. Several names have been mentioned, and one of the players who will gain the most strength is Son Heung-min. The player also received Saudi attention, but the player seems to want to stay in Europe. Contact between Atletico and the players has already been made, although it is unofficial.

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Son has also been going through a difficult time with his recent North London derby comments. He lost 0-1 in the North London derby in the fourth round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2024-2025 season against Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on the 15th.

After the game, Son Heung-min also expressed regret. Son dominated the game in a post-match interview, but lost a set piece. I felt the same frustration as last season, and I think the fans would be disappointed. We have to develop, and we have to unite in difficult moments. Players should be responsible for scoring goals. To make the right decision, being cool is the hardest part of football. We will rebound strongly. There is a long way to go."

However, Tottenham fans expressed anger at one of Son's words. It was the claim that he dominated the game. British media reported 'Fans ignored Son Heung-min in the interview. They responded that dominating the ball is different from dominating the game,' he said, adding that fans refuted Son's opinion.

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According to some news, Tottenham fans say 'Son Heung-min is a shameful captain','Domination doesn't win, stupid. He's probably the worst captain of all time', 'There's no leadership on the field. You should leave your seat to a man of authoritySome even argued that the captaincy should be deprived. In addition, Tottenham fans posted on social media 'He doesn't look good in the armband. I need another player','I can't expect much from him'

The British media also pointed out Son Heung-min. Sky Sports in the U.K. is struggling with veteran players including Son Heung-min. After Son Heung-min failed to score a shot against Arsenal, fans could be heard questioning why Postecoglou was reluctant to exclude him. Son scored twice against Everton, but he has only scored in three of his last 13 league games. The same goes for Romero. He keeps shaking at key moments. Romero also pointed to Son's lackluster performance with some key players, saying his leadership and credibility are being questioned.

However, considering Son Heung-min's records at Tottenham and his words and actions so far, it is unlikely that Son Heung-min really wants to leave Tottenham.

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Considering Son Heung-min's achievements and influence at Tottenham so far, the criticism is excessive. Son Heung-min played 31 rounds of the league in the 2023-2024 season and succeeded in playing 400 matches in 295 EPL games, 44 English Cup tournaments such as the FA Cup and League Cup, and 61 UEFA club competitions such as the Champions League. Since then, the number of games played has increased further, and now Tottenham has scored 164 goals in 413 games.

It is enough to surpass Martin Chivers' record of 174 goals in Tottenham, the club's fourth-highest scorer in history, and it is possible to expect EPL's 100th help in the next season. In addition, he is ready to catch up with legends in several EPL career records. He also scored 122 goals overall in the EPL, ranking 21st in the all-time scoring list.

In addition, Son Heung-min has recently expressed his willingness to remain at Tottenham and to lift the trophy at Tottenham, so it is hard to trust the claim that he will leave Tottenham immediately. Son Heung-min also said in June, `I always do my best for Tottenham, and I will continue to do my best. He has always said that he wants to deliver something to Tottenham. It's a promise that I made with the fans as well as myself, so I want to keep it," he said, expressing his desire to win at Tottenham. Despite rumors of a transfer to Saudi Arabia, he clearly expressed his willingness to stay in the EPL.

Tottenham and Son Heung-min are sluggish, and many shocking news are coming out. Tottenham and Son Heung-min need a quick rebound to get out of the rumor.

digh1229@sportschosun.com