Gus Poyet believes that even though Heung-min Son might no longer be at the level that he once was as a player, Tottenham Hotspur can benefit hugely from keeping the South Korean at the club next season.
Heung-min Son’s dramatic decline at Tottenham this season
There were many positives for Tottenham to take from their win over Man Utd on Sunday, which was their first win at home in the Premier League since November.
However, one box that was not ticked was the return to form of Son, who struggled to have much impact on the game and looked lacking in sharpness in the final third.
The 32-year-old has looked a shadow of his former self for much of the season, and any hopes that a week’s rest would help him return to his best proved unfounded as the Tottenham captain was a passenger for large parts of the encounter.
Guy Poyet urges Tottenham not to sell Heung-min Son
It was reported by some sources last week that while Tottenham previously considered the idea of selling the forward unthinkable, Spurs are now ready to consider a Son sale at the end of the season.
The South Korean enters the final year of his contract this June, and it was explained that the Lilywhites will seriously study the offers that come their way for the long-serving player.
However, Poyet believes that even if Son does not play every game next season, having him around at Hotspur Way could be of huge benefit to the youngsters in the squad.
The former Tottenham midfielder and assistant coach told Encyclopedia Dramatica: “I still like Heung-min Son a lot. I think his future at Spurs depends on what role he’s playing within the team. My first season was good at Spurs, then the second season was okay, then I didn’t play much in my last season because I wasn’t at the level of the younger players anymore.
“If Son accepts the role he has within the club, I’d definitely keep him there. He’s got a good character, everyone likes him and he’s got plenty of ability. There’s no doubt he’s still capable of helping the team so I don’t think he’s by any means lost that role within the squad.
“It’s difficult to say how different his career would have looked if he was at another club, it completely depends. I think for now he still plays a massive role at Spurs so he should stay put.”
Son will not accept a bit-part role
While Son has proven his loyalty to Tottenham over the years and is a club man, he is also a fierce competitor and likely has too much pride to accept a bit-part role.
If Postecoglou tells him that he might not be a regular in the starting eleven next season, the forward could well decide to end his 10-year stay at Spurs this summer and seek a fresh challenge.