{"id":1370802,"date":"2024-12-19T11:30:04","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T11:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1370802"},"modified":"2024-12-19T11:42:34","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T11:42:34","slug":"son-heung-min-tottenham-salah-arc","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/son-heung-min-tottenham-salah-arc\/","title":{"rendered":"Son Heung-min is quietly undergoing his own Salah arc in bid to cement Tottenham legend status"},"content":{"rendered":"

After Harry Kane’s departure, Son Heung-min undoubtedly shouldered Tottenham<\/a>‘s heaviest burden.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Son experienced a rollercoaster 2023\/24 campaign in the first season without his former partner-in-crime. Despite finishing with 17 goals\u2014his joint second-highest total in a Premier League season\u2014questions have arisen about whether he is entering the twilight of his career.<\/p>\n

While he’s taken on those critics head-on, the doubt still lingers as he approaches the final year of his contract. However, there are indications that Son\u2014who has recently been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, where he could reunite with England’s captain\u2014is starting to regain his form.<\/p>\n

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At 32 years old, he continues to be one of the fastest players in the Premier League, with his top sprint reaching 35.13 km\/h. The South Korean forward has effectively utilised this speed, scoring in back-to-back matches as he approaches this weekend’s showdown with Liverpool. Since November, no player in England’s top division has created more big chances (8) than Spurs’ captain.<\/p>\n

A reminder of Son Heung-min’s historical significance to North London’s Lilywhites is that his two assists against Southampton last time out brought his total in the Premier League to 68. This figure puts him level with Darren Anderton for the most assists by any Tottenham player in the competition’s history. It’s a matter of when before Son holds that record outright.<\/p>\n

“We look at this Tottenham side, and everyone talks about Maddison a lot, but Son is the main man; he has been for years. He really makes them tick,” noted former England manager Sam Allardyce earlier this season.<\/p>\n

The question remains: Is Son still performing at his best? Let’s examine the statistics since the beginning of this season and focus on players who have played at least half the available minutes. Only Bukayo Saka (1.37) has created more big chances per 90 minutes than Son (1.1). Additionally, Son ranks second, behind Saka again, in terms of intentional assists per 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

The data indicates that Son remains a key contributor on the field, demonstrating strong performance compared to his peers. His skill in creating opportunities and providing assists shows that he continues to be a vital asset to Ange Postecoglou’s side, despite any concerns about his current form.<\/p>\n

Postecoglou recently cautioned against writing off Son too soon, emphasizing that even the best players experience slumps in their performance. Just when it seems like their football careers are over, they often prove their critics wrong and make them reconsider their judgments. Being underestimated could actually work to Son’s advantage, much like it has for Salah.<\/p>\n

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Son Heung-min has now provided more Premier League assists for Tottenham than any other player in the competition\u2019s history (68).<\/p>\n

A club legend. \u2600\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/Gy71Opbups<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) December 15, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n