Son Heung-Min

[K.D.D.D.D.Soc]

We all lose some of our abilities as we get older and our performances start to decline which is understandable, I find it sad that some chose to almost blame the individual for for this natural process. Son doesn't seem to reach the level we need from him but he may still have something to offer the club and team. He has been part of probably our most successful period in 50 years and represented himself and the club with great dignity, he deserves our respect.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

We all lose some of our abilities as we get older and our performances start to decline which is understandable, I find it sad that some chose to almost blame the individual for for this natural process. Son doesn't seem to reach the level we need from him but he may still have something to offer the club and team. He has been part of probably our most successful period in 50 years and represented himself and the club with great dignity, he deserves our respect.

That really isn’t the angle or view I have
The guys a legend here
But also the team needs to move forward
Fans assuming/hoping/expecting a change in his form and fortune because of a new manager are actually being logical IMO expect the fact of his age and clear physical decline aren’t being factored into that logic
I’ve heard a mate say look at salah and how he has brought it back. Salah is the same age, plus the same role but has not lost his pace to the same level son has. I probably don’t expect sonny to regain that pace as he gets older. That would be freakish
Then add in the amount and volume of shots he had last season that were pea rollers. They were weak and at the keeper. They seem to have been forgotten about because is Sonny, the club legend.
As I’ve said before, he has earned the right to choose. But I also think the club have to be very very smart with what the club say around his game time.

 

[K.D.D.D.D.Soc]

That really isn’t the angle or view I have
The guys a legend here
But also the team needs to move forward
Fans assuming/hoping/expecting a change in his form and fortune because of a new manager are actually being logical IMO expect the fact of his age and clear physical decline aren’t being factored into that logic
I’ve heard a mate say look at salah and how he has brought it back. Salah is the same age, plus the same role but has not lost his pace to the same level son has. I probably don’t expect sonny to regain that pace as he gets older. That would be freakish
Then add in the amount and volume of shots he had last season that were pea rollers. They were weak and at the keeper. They seem to have been forgotten about because is Sonny, the club legend.
As I’ve said before, he has earned the right to choose. But I also think the club have to be very very smart with what the club say around his game time.

I think I wrote that he is not performing to the level we need (or what the experts expect/demand) and have never wrote he will improve or be an automatic starter. Comparing him with other players of his age is the most pointless stat I every read, virtually all humans are different physically. Its the continual negative pushed about the club, owners, management, players and tea lady that gets me down, let's just try some of that hero worship lavished on Lamela to a player who deserves it and not highlight his every failing, he'll soon begone and they'll be an other target.

 

[Jurgen the German]

None of our forwards are world class or even close to world class. They could all do with being upgraded. I’m happy with Son for another year as long as he’s not being picked because he’s a club legend. Merit should always be the most important metric, goes for any walk of life.

 

[FatBloke]

I think we're arguing at cross-purposes, to an extent. The way I see it, there are two issues here...

1. Should we get rid of Sonny for financial reasons? I say no. He probably gets us enough revenue (both actual and as marketing equivalent) to cover his wages. Based on that, I say there's room for him in the squad as an elder statesman to play mostly as a sub or in easier matches.

2. Has Sonny lost it? This is a difficult one. He clearly hasn't been the Son of old. His game last season lacked spark, pace over 10 yards, and the world class shooting we've been used to. But is that due to physical decline, knackeredness, or Ange's system? I think all three -- the physical decline can't be helped, but the other two can be.


In the second half of the Europa League final, our team as a whole looked knackered. Not just because of all the running that comes from not having possession or control of one game, but due to repeating that all season -- so many sprints in their legs. On the rare occasions that we made it out of our half, there was just nothing left in the tank to mount a decent attack. Son was the epitome of that. Or its nadir, rather. I really think (or at least hope) that a refreshed Sonny, coming on as a sub, will be able to make space again, and have energy to get the shot off.

Regardless, I agree that we owe Son enough to respect his wishes -- be it staying on with reduced playing time, heading off for one last payday, or being released so he can play at a club at a lower standard. Even if that means keeping him this season then letting him go on a free.

Some will argue that there's no room for sentimentality in a club that wants to be the best. But every case is different. Son has been a legend for us, pivotal to the best spell we've had since the Premier League began. I see him in a similar bracket to Thomas Müller at Bayern -- a symbol of the club, in a way that few others can be. Based on last season's form, he doesn't merit a starting spot, but I don't think we have enough depth up front to push him off the bench.

 

[Bishop]

I'm happy enough for him to stay but it should be with the caveat that he's no longer expected to start every match.

He's lost the explosiveness that allowed him to gaine that inch of space that allowed him to separate from his marker and he was never really a true dribbler so I think we should be trying to use his reading of the line and hopefully a return of some strong finishing to play him as a striker option from the bench.

 

[parklane1]

I think we're arguing at cross-purposes, to an extent. The way I see it, there are two issues here...

1. Should we get rid of Sonny for financial reasons? I say no. He probably gets us enough revenue (both actual and as marketing equivalent) to cover his wages. Based on that, I say there's room for him in the squad as an elder statesman to play mostly as a sub or in easier matches.

2. Has Sonny lost it? This is a difficult one. He clearly hasn't been the Son of old. His game last season lacked spark, pace over 10 yards, and the world class shooting we've been used to. But is that due to physical decline, knackeredness, or Ange's system? I think all three -- the physical decline can't be helped, but the other two can be.


In the second half of the Europa League final, our team as a whole looked knackered. Not just because of all the running that comes from not having possession or control of one game, but due to repeating that all season -- so many sprints in their legs. On the rare occasions that we made it out of our half, there was just nothing left in the tank to mount a decent attack. Son was the epitome of that. Or its nadir, rather. I really think (or at least hope) that a refreshed Sonny, coming on as a sub, will be able to make space again, and have energy to get the shot off.

Regardless, I agree that we owe Son enough to respect his wishes -- be it staying on with reduced playing time, heading off for one last payday, or being released so he can play at a club at a lower standard. Even if that means keeping him this season then letting him go on a free.

Some will argue that there's no room for sentimentality in a club that wants to be the best. But every case is different. Son has been a legend for us, pivotal to the best spell we've had since the Premier League began. I see him in a similar bracket to Thomas Müller at Bayern -- a symbol of the club, in a way that few others can be. Based on last season's form, he doesn't merit a starting spot, but I don't think we have enough depth up front to push him off the bench.

Good post and i do agree with you.