Son Heung-min has confirmed that he will be leaving Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
The South Korean has spent 10 years at the north London club but will now look for football elsewhere. It’s an amicable departure, with Son stating he just needed a new experience.
Son told reporters: “I need a new environment to push myself.
“I need a little bit of change — 10 years is a long time. I spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I wanted to experience football in a different environment, and I had those conversations with myself over and over again.”
Son Heung-min next club odds
Son will leave Tottenham having lifted the Europa League trophy in May, ending a 17-year drought at the club. He did so as club captain, taking the armband after Hugo Lloris’ departure in 2023.
The question is, how do Tottenham replace Son?
In-house – Mathys Tel
If Tottenham believe they can cope with Son’s potential departure using their current squad, then Mathys Tel will need to elevate his performance next season.
Like Son, Tel is capable of playing anywhere in the front three and possesses exceptional speed to exploit spaces behind the opposing defence.
However, for Spurs to remain competitive, either Dominic Solanke or Richarlison must regain their best form, or the club could invest the funds to acquire a new striker.
Familiar – Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford)
Brentford’s Mikkel Damsgaard could be a strong replacement from the Premier League. Having previously played under Thomas Frank, Damsgaard can quickly adapt to the team’s style of play, particularly on the left side of the pitch.
Damsgaard is not a traditional winger; instead, he operates as a wide-attacking midfielder. His game revolves around drifting into central areas while utilising his experience from wide positions.
The 25-year-old Dane had his best season with Brentford last year and appears fully adapted to English football after initially struggling in his first two seasons.
He is the ideal player for any head coach, showcasing commitment, tactical discipline, and a strong work ethic. Additionally, he is versatile and adaptable, making it easy to imagine him fitting well alongside James Maddison without hindering each other’s effectiveness.
Wildcard – Rodrygo
With Arsenal reportedly out of the running to sign Rodrygo, there’s still a chance he could end up in north London.
The Brazilian seems to be unhappy with both his role and playing time at Real Madrid, and a move away could benefit him. Many fans appear to be critical of Rodrygo due to his goals and assists tallies in La Liga over the past few seasons (six goals and five assists last season, 10 goals and five assists the year before).
However, achieving those numbers while playing out of position on a team that features Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe, who share most of the minutes on his preferred left wing, is quite impressive.
Moreover, he has proven to be decisive in the Champions League during his young career, helping Real Madrid secure two European titles (four, including the Super Cup). This suggests that he might be more underrated than overrated.
Even if he isn’t performing at his best right now, there are plenty of reasons to believe he can regain his form in the right setting. Lastly, Rodrygo is still just 23 years old and has not yet reached his full potential as a footballer. This may be the lowest point in his career until he reaches his prime, and whichever club capitalises on him now may strike gold.