You're going to get rid of things like this? SON, who proved his one-stroke instructor for Tottenham's victory, are you watching

Jan 24, 2025

No unauthorized redistribution, no AI learning and utilization>

No matter what anyone says, the ace who leads Tottenham Hotspur to victory has proven to be Son Heung-min (33). He led his team to victory with a remarkable performance at the most important moment.

Son Heung-min led his team's 3-2 victory by scoring two goals in the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League (UEL) phase 7 against Hoffenheim at 2:45 a.m. on the 24th (Korea time). As the score shows, it was a game that would not have won without Son Heung-min.

It is a very significant victory. Tottenham were in ninth place in the Europa League until League phase six. Since it can go straight to the round of 16 until the 8th place, it was necessary to increase the ranking by adding 3 points. It gave the team a valuable win when losing at Hoffenheim would have to play the round of 16 playoff games in February. As a result, Tottenham rose to sixth place in the league (4 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss, 14 points), increasing its chances of going straight to the round of 16.

No unauthorized redistribution, no AI learning and utilization>

The remaining opponent is Elpsborg (Sweden). They will play their home game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London at 5 a.m. on the 31st. Elpsborg is currently ranked 20th (3 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses, 10 points). It's better than Hoffenheim, but it's hard to say it's a strong team. If he wins here, he will be confirmed to advance to the round of 16.

Through the match, Son Heung-min proved his true value to Tottenham's club, which treated him lightly, and to some fans who were criticizing him for his recent slump. Son Heung-min, who started as a left winger at a 4-2-3-1 position, received a pass from James Maddison in the 22nd minute of the first half with a 1-0 lead and dug into the left side of the penalty area and fired a strong shot. The ball deflected off the defender went into the goal.

Then, in the 32nd minute of the second half, when they were chased 2-1, they also broke through from the left and fired a sharp left-footed shot into the corner of the goal on the other side. I pierced an angle like a needle gap. The sharp sense of shooting in his heyday came back to life. As a result, Son Heung-min scored his ninth and 10th consecutive goals of the season, achieving double-digit goals for nine consecutive seasons from the 2016-2017 season.

Hoffenheim pressured Tottenham by scoring his second goal in the 43rd minute of the second half, nine minutes after Son Heung-min was replaced. However, Tottenham were able to maintain the lead thanks to Son Heung-min scoring two goals. In the end, he won by one goal. It is a scene where Son Heung-min's value shone anew.

No unauthorized redistribution, no AI learning and utilization>

It can be said that Son Heung-min's indomitable will created this day's performance. Son Heung-min is experiencing a lot of 'billion won' this season.

First of all, he is being thoroughly neglected by the Tottenham club, which has devoted 10 years of loyalty. Initially, Son Heung-min was signed by Tottenham until June 2025. Therefore, the prospect that Tottenham will offer at least two years of renewal ahead of the 2024-2025 season has been raised by local media in the UK since the summer of last year.

But Tottenham didn't move at all. There were no negotiations before or after the opening of the season and even until the end of 2024. He even ignored Son Heung-min's proposal for negotiations. At the same time, it was expected that Tottenham would activate the option of a one-year extension created in its existing contract.

However, until the end of 2024, Tottenham did not make any position. Eventually, the transfer market opened in January, and Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Galatasaray, and Bayern Munich sought to recruit Son Heung-min. Son Heung-min was free to negotiate in the January transfer market according to Boseman rules. However, when Tottenham confirmed the market reaction to Son Heung-min, it moved right away. It announced in early January that it would launch a one-year extension option for Son Heung-min. Starting from this, all other clubs' interest in Son Heung-min has been deleted.

There are two reasons why Tottenham ignored Son Heung-min's request to renew the contract and invoked the extension option. One is because he devalued the value of Son Heung-min, who is in his mid-30s. He feared that the aging curve would lead to less performance compared to the investment in re-signing. The commitment of the past 10 years has not been reflected at all in pushing for a renewal. I thought it was already in the past that he played a legendary role.

In the same context, the reason for invoking the extension option is explained. He has already decided to break up with Son Heung-min internally, but he does not want to spend it without a transfer fee. As interest in Son Heung-min grew in the January transfer market, it can be said that the extension option was invoked to collect the transfer fee income.

In response, British media outlet Sportsmall responded, "Tottenham has the option to extend Son's contract by another 12 months until the end of the 2025-2026 season, and has decided to invoke this provision."It is unclear whether Son Heung-min's short-term extension of the contract period will be a prerequisite for a long-term contract. This means that after 18 months (even if a short-term extension is made), Son Heung-min can go to another club at no cost.

"If Tottenham decides to separate from each other even if it invokes a 12-month extension option, this could be for Tottenham to protect the value of its assets and receive transfer fees in the summer transfer market," he said. This means that Tottenham thoroughly treats Son Heung-min, who has been a legend of the team, only as an asset for sale.

No unauthorized redistribution, no AI learning and utilization>

The club's attitude toward Son Heung-min in this way even affected some Tottenham fans. More and more fans are booing and swearing, blaming Tottenham's recent slump on Son Heung-min. Tottenham had only one win (two draws and seven losses) in its last 10 games, including three consecutive league defeats. Son Heung-min also had only six goals and six assists in the league. He also played full time against Everton, but failed to score an offensive point. It was definitely a lackluster performance compared to its heyday.

However, it is shocking that Son Heung-min, who came to say hello, was verbally abused. It is a scene where Son Heung-min's dedication over the past 10 years seems to have collapsed in an instant. In fact, Son Heung-min had to turn around with his hands wrapped around his face as if his emotions had risen.

No unauthorized redistribution, no AI learning and utilization>

Nevertheless, Son Heung-min returned as the team's captain and ace and did what he had to do. It was like a show of force for chairman Levi and some Tottenham fans. For Tottenham, it is difficult to even imagine a squad without Son Heung-min. Chairman Levi may have to propose a real renewal instead of thinking of selling it for a transfer fee during the remaining contract period with Son Heung-min. If even Son Heung-min escapes, Tottenham is likely to fall into a state where it cannot be guaranteed to remain in the EPL, let alone win the championship.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.