Life after Heung-min Son has been tough on Tottenham Hotspur. During his time here, he made an indelible mark on the fortunes of both our club and the Premier League. During his Hall of Fame-worthy run with Spurs, Son posted an astounding 17 goals plus assists last season alone. His absence is inexcusable and raises many questions. How will the club possibly fill the void left by one of its most iconic figures’ passing?
The South Korean superstar dazzled on the field with jaw-dropping talent. He became something of a rock star cultural hero back home, where fans honor him as a national deity. Despite his success, his road was not without bumps, as he dealt with homesickness when he first came to England. Instead, he met the challenges directly and overcame them. Almost instantly, he was welcomed in as an integral piece of the Tottenham team, forging incredible relationships with teammates and fans.
Son’s Premier League Legacy
Son’s contributions to the Premier League in general is highly regarded by enemies and teammates alike. Both were spectacular, and Thomas Frank, the Brentford manager, waxed poetic about Son’s talents. In my opinion, he is one of the greatest players ever to play on a wing in the Premier League. This emotional reaction captures the feeling of most around the footballing world as it relates to Son’s prodigious talent and relentless work ethic.
In his last years at Tottenham, Son formed a dynamic duo with Harry Kane. Combined, the two made up one of the most prolific partnerships in Premier League history. When on the field at the same time, they combined for a stunning 47 goals and 14 assists to each other in just the 2020/21 season. Further, Son assisted on a crazy 32 goals for Kane over their time together pointing to their obvious connection on the pitch.
Son’s memorable performances included a standout display in a Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City in April 2019, where he scored twice within the opening ten minutes. Those fleeting minutes took him from a promising depth piece to an integral player for Spurs. His legacy will forever be cemented in the clubs’ history even after his departure.
Emotional Farewell
The departure of Son was characterized by passionate scenes at Tottenham Hotspur. She knew that her teammates and the staff were hurt by this. Some went so far as to ball upon learnin’ that they was about to lose a player who had really threaded himself up into their hearts. As Ben Davies named Son the godfather of his son, Ralph. This simple gesture reveals the depth of personal relationships they’ve built over their time together.
Son’s former manager Mauricio Pochettino had a large part in Son’s early success with Spurs. As for Son, Conte had plenty of great things to say about the South Korean star. Pochettino later spoke of his love for him as a man and as a footballer. For example, Ruess said, “He’s a lovely dude and I’m blown away by his work ethic.” These musings pay testimony to the high regard and love in which Son was held during his time at Spurs.
Beyond what Son did on the pitch, he raised a trophy that lifted Tottenham from a 17-year long drought. More than anything, he inspires both his teammates and fans with his incredible character and strong work ethic. Clearly a different time than today, which makes his departure all the more bittersweet.
A Cultural Icon
It’s no wonder Heung-min Son’s positive influence extends far beyond the soccer pitch. Only in his home country of South Korea, is he revered as a cultural hero. Now every Tottenham match was a sea of South Korean flags. Supporters would queue for hours outside the club’s training ground, desperately seeking a sighting of their hero. His 100 million Instagram followers show how significant a star player he is. It further cements his place as an ambassador for football in South Korea.
Son’s story of overcoming initial struggles with homesickness to becoming a Premier League phenomenon promises to make for an uplifting tale for young hopefuls. Along the way he has proved that dogged willpower and true grit will carry you far, even to the biggest international runway. His story strikes a deep chord, especially with his young compatriots from South Korea who find in him an admirable prototype.
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