In a season filled with ups and downs for Tottenham, Heung-min Son has faced scrutiny, yet manager Ange Postecoglou believes the doubters might be writing him off too soon, drawing an interesting comparison to Liverpool’s Mo Salah.
Heung-min Son struggles and Tottenham’s inconsistent form
Tottenham Hotspur’s Heung-min Son has found himself in the midst of a turbulent season, managing just three Premier League goals so far and struggling with recurring injuries that have disrupted his rhythm.
The Spurs captain’s dip in form has mirrored Tottenham’s own inconsistent start to the campaign – the North London side now sits in eighth place on the Premier League table, having won just six of their opening 13 games, while enduring five losses and two draws.
This patchy form has left the Lilywhites outside the coveted top-four positions, sparking concerns among fans and pundits alike about the direction of the team.
At 32 years of age, the Korean winger is at a pivotal moment in his career, with his current contract set to expire in the summer; although the club is widely expected to trigger a one-year extension, questions about his long-term role in Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs side persist.
Postecoglou, however, has sought to shift the narrative, comparing Son’s current situation to that of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who faced similar scrutiny during the early stages of the 2022/23 season.
Salah, like Son, had a slow start but eventually silenced his critics by returning to his best form, reinforcing his status as one of the Premier League’s elite wingers.
Postecoglou backs Heung-min Son, draws on Salah’s resurgence
In a recent press conference, Ange Postecoglou offered a robust defence of Heung-min Son, dismissing suggestions that age or form should be a cause for concern.
Drawing on Salah’s resurgence as an example, the Tottenham boss was unequivocal in his support for the South Korean star.
Speaking to football.london, Postecoglou said: “I think there were questions about Mo maybe a year or so ago. I would be wary about doing that, but it might help me if you write him off. Go for it!
“I do not see that in Sonny, I still think he has got a hell of a lot of quality and from a physical standpoint, the way he looks after himself, I do not see his abilities diminishing just due to the age factor at the moment. I do not see that.
“He has had a bit of a disrupted start this year where he has had a couple of setbacks where he has not played regularly. I think with Sonny the more regularly he plays, the increase comes in that output. So the answer is no, I do not think so, and I would be wary about writing him off.”
Patience is key: Son must learn from Salah’s example
Postecoglou’s comments highlight a crucial point often overlooked in football: the importance of patience. Salah’s resurgence serves as a timely reminder that form is temporary, but class is permanent.
Despite a dip in form in 22/23, Salah is now back to his best and remains one of the most prolific wingers in the Premier League, with 13 goals and 8 assists in just 14 games this season.
In Heung-min Son’s case, a similar narrative could unfold if he is given time and the opportunity to play regularly, he will get into his rhythm and the goals will come.