Thomas Frank names three Tottenham players who are expected to get chances to replace Son Heung-min after he leaves the club
Tottenham Hotspur skipper Son Heung-min surprised many supporters on early Saturday by announcing that he intends to leave the club this summer.
There have been heavy speculation surrounding the South Korea international’s future in recent times, and he has now decided to go public with his desire to try a new challenge after 10 long years in north London. Son Heung-min finally got his icy hands on a trophy as a Spurs player in May, leading the club to the Europa League success.
He is about to bring the curtain down on a glittering spell at White Hart Lane that has yielded 173 goals and 101 assists in 454 appearances, and the Europa League trophy. The 33-year-old is a club icon having spent 10 years, so it would be an uphill task for Thomas Frank and the Hotspur Way chiefs to find a replacement for him.
The Lilywhites have been scouring the market for his potential replacements, but our gaffer Thomas Frank feels he can find in-house solutions.
Tottenham boss reveals who could replace Son Heung-min on the left wing
Son has featured in some of Tottenham’s pre-season games this summer, but it now seems he is approaching the end of his time in north London. Los Angeles FC have been pushing for the forward’s signature, with MLS looking likely to be his next destination.
Spurs face Newcastle United in a friendly fixture in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday, which is expected to be Son’s final appearance in our famous white shirt. Ahead of the game against Newcastle United, Frank named three players who are under consideration to operate on the left flank after Son’s potential exit.
“First and foremost, when a great player is leaving a team other players have a chance to shine,” Frank told in his pre-match press conference (h/t Football London).
“Brennan Johnson is a player who could play on the left. Also, I think that Wilson Odobert did well against Arsenal and can play on the left and also Mathys Tel is a flexible player.
“I think we have some young promising players that hopefully can step up and take over from Sonny in the future.”
Chance for young wingers to step up
The club decided to turn Mathys Tel’s loan into a permanent deal from Bayern Munich this summer after he did well during the second half of last season. The Frenchman is a versatile attacker, capable of playing on the left flank and centrally as a No.9, and he could ideally be groomed into Son’s successor.
Tel’s compatriot, Wilson Odobert endured an injury-hit debut season at N17 following his move from Burnley in the summer of 2024, and he can operate on both left and right flank. So, he does have a chance to stake his claim in Frank’s XI in the upcoming season. And as for Brennan Johnson, the Danish tactician also views him as a potential in-house option to replace Son on the left, even though has largely operate as a right-winger in his two years at Tottenham.
It will be interesting to see which of these players can make the left-wing spot their own after Son leaves, and if Frank is planning to take a dip in the market for a new wide operator, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho is an option.
