Thomas Frank confirms that Son Heung-min has likely played his last game for Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur’s preseason tour of South Korea came to a close on quite a sentimental note as we saw the North Londoners give a massive send-off to Son Heung-min, who is a modern icon at N17 and so in his home soil. Yesterday, we saw the Lilywhites draw (FT: 1-1) against Newcastle United in Seoul, where Brennan Johnson opened the scoring in the early minutes, but the Toons equalised with Harvey Barnes in the thirty-eighth.
But it wasn’t much about the scoreline; the headlines belonged firmly to the departing South Korean skipper, who announced that he would be leaving the club before the commencement of the new season. And now that has been followed by the North Londoners head coach, Thomas Frank, confirming that the 33-year-old has likely donned the Spurs badge for the last time.
Frank speaks on Son
The former Brentford manager, speaking via Football.London after the game, insists that Son’s exit from Hotspur Way is quite imminent before he goes on to admit that he might have played his last game in Tottenham colours. He said:
“I think it’s very likely Sonny’s last game because it’s very close. The reaction was instinctive from my players. I think that speaks volumes about him. It’s not just the talent he has but the way he has carried himself over the years.
Frank continued:
“I think he’s seen as one of the game’s great Premier League players. I’ve never had the pleasure of working with him or meeting him and talking to him but I’m sure he would be the same as he is on the pitch.”
There have been strong rumours linking Son with a possible move to Major League Soccer, and at the moment it does look like he could be on his way to LAFC.
Son has been a phenomenon at Tottenham after moving to the Premier League heavyweight in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen, and he has portrayed himself as one of those legendary names etched in the club’s history, especially after last season’s Europa League triumph.
It looks about the right time
But at the moment it does make sense that he is taking steps away from Tottenham. See, despite his legendary status at N17, we had seen visible signs last season that showed that he is past his prime self, who was capable of being a menace to the defenders. And this means that a transition right now could end up benefitting both the parties and in turn allowing the South Korean to explore a fresh challenge away from N17.
It will be highly emotional to be seeing Tottenham without Son when the next season comes around. He will be surely missed and celebrated within the lanes at N17.