The clock is ticking on Heung-min Son’s time at Tottenham Hotspur. With his numbers dwindling and age creeping in, the debate rages on—are Spurs’ current crop of wingers truly ready to step into his boots?
The narrative surrounding Tottenham’s captain is shifting. Heung-min Son signed a one-year contract extension earlier this year, tying him down until 2026. However, there is an acceptance that change is on the horizon.
Son’s output has declined significantly—where he once breezed past the 15-goal mark in a Premier League campaign, this season he has managed just six.
At 32, his drop-off is evident, and the discussion around a successor has already begun. Spurs fans have grown accustomed to seeing their South Korean skipper deliver in big moments, but as Father Time catches up, the question remains: are the Lilywhites prepared for life without him?
The next generation of Tottenham left-wing options
At present, Tottenham have a handful of promising young wide forwards touted as potential replacements. Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel, and Mikey Moore are all viewed as future stars, while Yang Min-hyeok remains an option but is currently out on loan.
If Heung-min Son were to leave tomorrow, Tottenham would be forced to lean on these youngsters to fill the void left by one of the club’s greatest-ever players. But can any of them truly replicate what he brought to the side?
To understand the magnitude of the task ahead, a reminder of Son’s contribution is necessary. Since joining Spurs in 2015, the Korean winger has racked up over 400 appearances, bagging 172 goals and providing 94 assists.
He has played in a Champions League final, a Carabao Cup final, has been a key figure in multiple top-four finishes and even two fleeting title races.
Beyond his numbers, his loyalty and reliability have been invaluable. He stuck with the club through turbulent times, resisting moves elsewhere despite possessing the quality to walk into any European giant.
His durability is also remarkable—across a decade in north London, he has missed just 54 games due to injury. This level of consistency allowed him to step up whenever Harry Kane was sidelined, often carrying Spurs’ attacking burden alone.
Can any of Spurs’ young wingers step up as the next Heung-min Son?
Realistically, if Spurs parted ways with Son now, none of the current left-wing options are at his level. That is not to say the talent is not there, but they have enormous shoes to fill.
The hope is that these young wingers at least wear the boots proudly, showing ambition, self-belief, and a hunger to carve out their own legacies.
Mathys Tel appears to be the frontrunner to take on Son’s mantle. There have been strong whispers that Spurs view the Bayern Munich loanee as the natural heir to the South Korean’s position.
He certainly possesses the ability, but his adaptation to English football has been anything but seamless.
The Premier League’s physicality has troubled him, and while some may argue he has been misused as a central striker rather than a left-winger, one fact remains—stepping into Son’s role is a monumental task.
Wilson Odobert, on the other hand, has seen more minutes on the left flank and has shown flashes of quality. His dribbling ability and directness are exciting, but his fitness is a major concern.
This season alone, he has missed over two months due to injury. For context, the longest Son has ever been sidelined during his Tottenham career is 29 days. To be considered a worthy successor, Odobert needs to prove he can be consistently available.
Then there is Mikey Moore, an academy product who has already caught the eye with his technical brilliance. Of the trio, he seems the most likely to develop the same level of loyalty Son has shown over the years.
However, at just 17, his game time must be carefully managed. Throwing him into the deep end too soon risks burnout, and history has shown that young talents need time to mature before they can handle the relentless demands of Premier League football.
The daunting task of replacing a club legend
Heung-min Son’s departure, whenever it happens, will mark the end of an era at Tottenham. His influence on and off the pitch has been immense, and while Spurs have assembled a promising group of young wingers, none are yet close to replicating his impact.
Tel has the highest ceiling but needs time to adapt. Odobert offers dynamism but must overcome his fitness struggles.
Moore has the makings of a future star, but patience will be key. What is certain is that Spurs’ left-wing options have a long road ahead if they are to fill the void left by one of the club’s all-time greats.