'Captain' Son Heung-min (Tottenham) received extreme reviews.
Tottenham Hotspur lost 0-1 in the 18th round of the English Premier League (EPL) in 2024-2025 against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in Nottingham, England, at 0:00 a.m. on the 27th (Korea time). Tottenham, which lost 3-6 against Liverpool last time, collapsed until this day and fell into a losing streak. It failed to rebound.
Son Heung-min started again. Local media predicted that Son Heung-min would rest and Brennan Johnson would fill the spot. The reason was the poor performance against Liverpool and the arrangement of physical strength in preparation for the Boxing Day. Football London says 'Someone on the offensive has to get out for Johnson's legs who have rested. He said he could be an older Son Heung-min. Tottenham Hotspur News also reported, `Son Heung-min looked exhausted in the last game. Son Heung-min, 32, may want to take a break on Boxing Day. Especially when the game schedule is tight and heavy.
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Postecoglou's choice was Son Heung-min. With Dominic Solanke at the center, Son Heung-min and Johnson cards were taken out on the left and right sides. Instead, there is a change in the center. Instead of James Medicine, Dejan Kulusevski stepped up as a shadow striker. The midfield has also changed. Rodrigo Bentancourt, who returned from a seven-game suspension for racist punishment against Son Heung-min, played as a double bolanch with Papesar. Destiny Udogi-Archie Gray-Radou Dragusin-Jed Spence made the four-back. Frazier Foster wore goalkeeper gloves.
It was a game that needed a rebound from Son Heung-min's point of view. Son has five goals and six assists in the league this season. It's not a bad record numerically, but there are ups and downs every season. In particular, he failed to make a single effective shot in the last game and received the lowest evaluation among the strikers. As Tottenham's offense depends on whether Son Heung-min performs or not, Son Heung-min's play is also the subject of much attention in the region. Fortunately, Son was strong with four goals and two assists in five games he played on Boxing Day.
Son Heung-min unfortunately failed to score an offensive point, but he showed his best performance on the day, shooting a sharp shot in the fourth minute of the first half. In particular, he fired a sharp shot from a free kick at the end of the first half, but it was regrettable that he hit the side net. Son Heung-min attempted three shots on the day and recorded one effective shot. It had a pass success rate of 90% out of 52 touches, with three key passes. Cross also made two and dribbled two times.
However, the other players' poor performance was too great. Tottenham collapsed in the 28th minute, allowing Antony Elanga to score the first goal. He suffered a shock defeat without scoring a single goal. Tottenham occupied the ball all the time, but repeated their frustrating attacks. It failed to create a significant opportunity in Nottingham's thick defensive wall.
Still, Son Heung-min's performance was recognized. All of the places that give mechanical ratings have the highest ratings among Tottenham players. Whoscored Dotcom scored 6.9 points, while Footmob and SofaScore scored 7.4. All of them were ranked first in the team.
However, the qualitative evaluation was different. The London Evening Standard gave the worst score of four. 'Shooting in the 5th minute of the first half was the only performance of the day. It was another weakness on this day, he criticized. Football London added. I gave him three points. Football London played in a disquieting, ineffective manner. Tottenham need more stimulation from Son Heung-min. The Daily Express also gave the lowest score of five points. It was the same rating as Spence, who was sent off. The Daily Express criticized 'There was no chance except for the shot made by taking Kulusevski's pass, only repeating the non-special pass'
The Boy Hotspur also gave him five points and said he looked like a player lacking confidence.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
