Former Liverpool centre-back has given a scathing indictment of Heung-min Son’s performances and his body language on the pitch, with the pundit questioning whether the Tottenham captain still has the drive to perform at the highest level.
Heung-min Son’s steep decline is a matter of Tottenham concern
While Son still has decent numbers this season, with 10 goals and eight assists across all competitions so far, his general performances have left a lot to be desired.
The South Korean no longer threatens to get in behind defences with his pace and movement very often and even his finishing has let him down on several occasions this campaign.
Ange Postecoglou has continued to defend his captain, insisting that he has been “outstanding” over recent months and pointing out that he has kept going without any rest due to Tottenham’s injury issues.
Phil Thompson questions if Son has the desire any longer
However, Thompson disagrees with Postecoglou‘s assessment, with the pundit having seen enough evidence to suggest that Son is no longer good enough to make a difference regularly at the highest level.
The former Liverpool man suggested that the 32-year-old, who is into his tenth season at Spurs, looks like he no longer has the passion to prove himself on this stage.
Thompson said on No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast: “So I think them with Ange has been a thing. I do think it’s always hard when you get so many injuries and when they keep on coming and it’s hard.
“But I look at some of his players who seem to have lost their way, are they not listening to Ange anymore? The biggest one is Son. What has happened to him at that point? He was a match-winner.
“He was full of energy. And this season, it’s not just in these last couple of months. He has looked so short of it. He looks as though he’s not got the passion, the commitment, the ability anymore. Doesn’t look as though he’s got that pace. And he’s the one who just is what Tottenham have been all about this year.”
Tottenham are reportedly considering selling Heung-min Son
One should never write off great players as they have the tendency to make people look silly.
Son has made critics eat their words before and one certainly should not bet against him doing the same in the immediate future, especially given that he does not have to play every three days any longer.
However, some reports over the last week have suggested that Tottenham are now going to consider letting Heung-min Son go in the summer, an idea which was previously ‘unthinkable’ at the club.
If Spurs do get a decent offer for the forward in the summer, they might be tempted to accept it, particularly given that he will be into the final year of his deal.