Son Heung-Min

[braineclipse]

A bit of both I suspect. He's not what he was, but he could certainly be more effective and better utilised in a different set up. Not sure if that is with Frank, as he likes to play for high xG chances, and is not really fond of long range efforts, where Son is really good.
But maybe Son would be allowed to take those shots, because he's been so good at converting them over the years.

No manager in his right mind would stop Son from shooting from range.

The big difference is how Ange uses his wingers and from what I've seen how Frank typically uses them. Frank should suit Son much better.

He can't be starting every game. As long as that's clear and he's happy and physically feels ready to stay I have no issues. But at the same time should we cash in (assuming a sizeable offer) I have no issues.

 

[Jurgen the German]

No manager in his right mind would stop Son from shooting from range.

The big difference is how Ange uses his wingers and from what I've seen how Frank typically uses them. Frank should suit Son much better.

He can't be starting every game. As long as that's clear and he's happy and physically feels ready to stay I have no issues. But at the same time should we cash in (assuming a sizeable offer) I have no issues.

Not sure anyone would pay big bucks for him anymore given his age and his reliance on pace. The finishing has also started to decline. The issue is we need at least 3 new forwards. Can’t see us challenging any higher than top 6 with the current crop we have.

 

[Gutter Boy]

Not sure anyone would pay big bucks for him anymore given his age and his reliance on pace. The finishing has also started to decline. The issue is we need at least 3 new forwards. Can’t see us challenging any higher than top 6 with the current crop we have.

I think we'll be surprise what happens when we don't cram 8 players into the opposition's final third. Odobert and Tel in particular I think will pleasantly surprise people.

 

[Raziel]

No manager in his right mind would stop Son from shooting from range.

The big difference is how Ange uses his wingers and from what I've seen how Frank typically uses them. Frank should suit Son much better.

He can't be starting every game. As long as that's clear and he's happy and physically feels ready to stay I have no issues. But at the same time should we cash in (assuming a sizeable offer) I have no issues.

There is an interview where Son talks about it (he wasn't trying to brick on Ange), think it was first season, where he was asked, and he said the plan is not for him to be in that position, went on to talk about where Ange expects them, FBs and the ball to play (it basically was, you don't get to turn into that spot, wide on box and shoot). There is a whole other thread to discuss Ange, but his system had preference over player suitability and I think Son suffered both on output and form (it is a time in his career where to get the best out of him, the system has to make some accommodations).

 

[braineclipse]

There is an interview where Son talks about it (he wasn't trying to brick on Ange), think it was first season, where he was asked, and he said the plan is not for him to be in that position, went on to talk about where Ange expects them, FBs and the ball to play (it basically was, you don't get to turn into that spot, wide on box and shoot). There is a whole other thread to discuss Ange, but his system had preference over player suitability and I think Son suffered both on output and form (it is a time in his career where to get the best out of him, the system has to make some accommodations).

Good point. Was talking about if already in that position, but wasn't clear enough.

Fully agreed that the Ange system wasn't the best to get the best out of Son.

 

[thfcsteff]

I think we'd be mad to sell Sonny this summer. I'd keep him this final year. His experience will be invaluable, his presence off the bench really important, and overall, his importance to the squad huge. If we let him go, I struggle to think how we'd fill the squad space with such a combination of experience and quality. I'll be very surprised if Frank didn't want him, in fact I'd be shocked.

 

[thfcsteff]

What are his strengths now?
He has lost his pace and his shooting has deteriorated quite a lot

I would say 11 goals and 11 assists when consistently playing in a side without it's top players and in systems which don't suit him tell us that if used a little more appropriately, there's plenty of life left in him if used better.

 

[RunTMC]

I think we'd be mad to sell Sonny this summer. I'd keep him this final year. His experience will be invaluable, his presence off the bench really important, and overall, his importance to the squad huge. If we let him go, I struggle to think how we'd fill the squad space with such a combination of experience and quality. I'll be very surprised if Frank didn't want him, in fact I'd be shocked.

It depends on what Sonny wants. 10 years of glorious service, signing of as captain winning a trophy the fans craved. Perfect time to call it a Spurs career. What will he get from his final season?

I don’t think the club will force him out if he doesn’t want to go. Plus it would be a bit weird to go on the Asia tour, whip up renewed frenzy with the Asia fans and then leave. So I think on balance, he’s here next year.

 

[Lilbaz]

It depends on what Sonny wants. 10 years of glorious service, signing of as captain winning a trophy the fans craved. Perfect time to call it a Spurs career. What will he get from his final season?

I don’t think the club will force him out if he doesn’t want to go. Plus it would be a bit weird to go on the Asia tour, whip up renewed frenzy with the Asia fans and then leave. So I think on balance, he’s here next year.

One last go in the champions league.

 

[RunTMC]

One last go in the champions league.

Yep. Fair point

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I would say 11 goals and 11 assists when consistently playing in a side without it's top players and in systems which don't suit him tell us that if used a little more appropriately, there's plenty of life left in him if used better.

Not for me
He should have had a lot more goals with the chances he had
His numbers should have been more like 18 goals
Worryingly he has lost his unpredictability

 

[mudshark]

It looks like there's a stark choice to be made: either cash in to the highest bidder over the coming weeks to reinvest, or wrap him in cotton wool, keep him fresh and injury-free and use him as a super-sub. On balance, unless he actually wants to leave, I'd opt for #2.

 

[Jurgen the German]

I think we'd be mad to sell Sonny this summer. I'd keep him this final year. His experience will be invaluable, his presence off the bench really important, and overall, his importance to the squad huge. If we let him go, I struggle to think how we'd fill the squad space with such a combination of experience and quality. I'll be very surprised if Frank didn't want him, in fact I'd be shocked.

I see the argument for experience but ultimately it comes down to can he make an impact on the pitch. It reminds me of when people said Jordan Henderson should be in the England squad but he’s a good character to have around the place and Roy Keane was like why? Does he do card tricks?

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I see the argument for experience but ultimately it comes down to can he make an impact on the pitch. It reminds me of when people said Jordan Henderson should be in the England squad but he’s a good character to have around the place and Roy Keane was like why? Does he do card tricks?

It’s also timing
We have been criminally bad at hanging on to players
If Sonny is happy to leave and there is a decent fee it’s a no brainer
The people who will miss him are the fans
The team will move on like they always do

 

[Lemonade Money]

His form is the departing manager's fault. See Mourinho and Dele.

 

[Robbo]

Don't forget his market value in South Korea. That alone for another year would probably be worth much more than his transfer fee, IMO. There's no way the club isn't considering that factor.