Heung-Min Son (손흥민)

[Airfixx]

Im not saying what you are trying to imply?

If you mean match to match, then maybe we have performed better in 'peak' performances (becomes quite subjective at this point I guess... Especially as we've not seen him in a 3421 yet). However, over the course of the season (especially in Europe and early season when the likes of Dele, Eriksen & Sissoko weren't up to speed) we have most certainly been weaker for his absence.

He'd have been useful at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, Anfield and away at Monaco for starters.

 

[alexwooty]

Not possible. Korea does not allow dual citizenship. if he does, he wont be Korean + cant play for Korean national team. We will lose all Korean fans as well because they are really serious about "being fair" about serving in military. I am not sure if you know a Korean player Park Chu Young who used to play for Woolwich. He used to be a hero for Korea, but after he somewhat misused the law to delay the time he had to go to the army so he can play for olympics to get a medal, he is now one of the most hated players in Korea. He actually got a medal from olympics + didnt have to go to army lol..

I am also Korean myself, and I want him to get a permission to go to army after he retires, but I know that he wont get any special immunity from military duties. Only hope he has left is to win the next Asian game.

By what age would he have to serve his military service, if South Korea don't win the next Asian Cup?

 

[Guido 🇺🇦]

Nearly half a million views on just a handful of days. South Korea no doubt going into a Son frenzy.

 

[Joe Clash]

By what age would he have to serve his military service, if South Korea don't win the next Asian Cup?

30 according to the CIA.

The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency

 

[Airfixx]

30 according to the CIA.

The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency

Sadly, unless we change our selling poilcy then, with this hanging over him, he'll never be a long term player for us.... In some ways the best thing for us could be him continuing to improve and then us selling high in a year or two. I mean, who'd buy him in his late 20s knowing that a) he'd inevitably start to lose pace and b) he'd disappear a couple of years later?

Always found this aspect of his signing to be very un-Levy.

 

[Airfixx]

...Unless friends in high (and eastern) places.

 

[Mr S Pippo]

If you mean match to match, then maybe we have performed better in 'peak' performances (becomes quite subjective at this point I guess... Especially as we've not seen him in a 3421 yet). However, over the course of the season (especially in Europe and early season when the likes of Dele, Eriksen & Sissoko weren't up to speed) we have most certainly been weaker for his absence.

He'd have been useful at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, Anfield and away at Monaco for starters.

The thing is, we will never know? All I was saying is, you can look at his absence both ways. Im not one for ifs and buts because it gone. The facts are, we have played most of the season without him and are flying. I was not suggesting that by his absence, we are better or when hes there hes holds us back. We must always look forward and never go back?

 

[Rooster]

Let's Hope South Korea wins the Gold in Asian Cup. (or was it the Asian cup?)
or go far in the World Cup.

how far do they have to go in WC to get exempt?? Does anyone know?

 

[Joe Clash]

Let's Hope South Korea wins the Gold in Asian Cup. (or was it the Asian cup?)
or go far in the World Cup.

how far do they have to go in WC to get exempt?? Does anyone know?

Any medal at the Olympics or gold at the Asian Games.

 

[Airfixx]

The thing is, we will never know? All I was saying is, you can look at his absence both ways. Im not one for ifs and buts because it gone. The facts are, we have played most of the season without him and are flying. I was not suggesting that by his absence, we are better or when hes there hes holds us back. We must always look forward and never go back?

The distinction you draw, makes all the difference to be fair...

Just too many here happy to opportunistically use this scenario to cast Erik in a negative light.

Poor kid... He really didn't need this shit this season in terms of fan acceptance alone... Just when we thought he could build on a quality season, having silenced many of the 'nay-sayers'... Boom... Out for the majority of the season having been a leading light during early doors.

Some just couldn't wait to start cunting him off again; using other player's up-turn in form (Son) or our good league form in general as a poorly veiled stick to beat him with.

Warped & perverted as fuck IMO... But if that's not you, then more power to you, my fellow yido!

 

[Airfixx]

Any medal at the Olympics or gold at the Asian Games.

Seems like a hard worker.... Can we not get Poch to drill him in something else on the side... Y'know; double his chances and all that...


...Shooting is shooting, right?

 

[WookieD]

Not possible. Korea does not allow dual citizenship. if he does, he wont be Korean + cant play for Korean national team. We will lose all Korean fans as well because they are really serious about "being fair" about serving in military. I am not sure if you know a Korean player Park Chu Young who used to play for Woolwich. He used to be a hero for Korea, but after he somewhat misused the law to delay the time he had to go to the army so he can play for olympics to get a medal, he is now one of the most hated players in Korea. He actually got a medal from olympics + didnt have to go to army lol..

I am also Korean myself, and I want him to get a permission to go to army after he retires, but I know that he wont get any special immunity from military duties. Only hope he has left is to win the next Asian game.

Undoubtedly mate, and I completely understand the importance of face and honour in Korea not just for the individual but as a family principle.

I can just imagine, however, that by the time he is away from home, happy in Europe and faced with a decision of 1) decimate your professional career or 2) turn your back on your country for the sake of your future - his decision making process will depend on where he sees his future... and if it's Europe then the only thing to influence him is the effect on his family.

He wouldn't be the first professional athlete to turn their back on their country. No offence to the majority of other Korean players but it really doesn't matter so much as they are journeymen anyway, but make no mistake, two years away from football will effectively kill his top level career as any player would struggle to get back top level after that long out... Just imagine he goes in at 25, comes out at 27... he'll be a water carrier for at least a season whilst regaining match fitness. If you're VERY lucky, he can play to a top level as he is 28 approaching 29.

What a shame.

 

[WookieD]

South Koreans are very patriotic though, it would be a huge mark of shame on him and his family

Yep, completely get it. Massive scandal but you're talking about him effectively ending his top level career.

 

[Airfixx]

Yep, completely get it. Massive scandal but you're talking about him effectively ending his top level career.

Because value systems; individual and inherent cultural ones.

TBH, outside of a Spurs-centric viewpoint I'd think it bogus if he WAS let off...

Why SHOULD there be a different rule just cos he stands to make more money than most in his career?

 

[WookieD]

Because value systems; individual and inherent cultural ones.

TBH, outside of a Spurs-centric viewpoint I'd think it bogus if he WAS let off...

Why SHOULD there be a different rule just cos he stands to make more money than most in his career?

That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying he may consider turning his back, which would mean giving up his nationality and leaving them no choice in the matter.

In terms of why would they, it should be obvious that he is worth far more as a national talisman. That's over if they arrest his career for 24+ months, even handedness aside. He'll never hit his potential.

 

[Airfixx]

That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying he may consider turning his back, which would mean giving up his nationality and leaving them no choice in the matter.

In terms of why would they, it should be obvious that he is worth far more as a national talisman. That's over if they arrest his career for 24+ months, even handedness aside. He'll never hit his potential.

Again, a deeper appreciation of Korean social culture will most likely answer this...

What I would offer tho'... By nature, any GENUINELY socialist or communist society would frown upon a celeb 'opting out' of such a commitment...

 

[CJJ]

That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying he may consider turning his back, which would mean giving up his nationality and leaving them no choice in the matter.

A brief jaunt into the history on the matter suggests that this is extremely, highly unlikely.

 

[WookieD]

Again, a deeper appreciation of Korean social culture will most likely answer this...

What I would offer tho'... By nature, any GENUINELY socialist or communist society would frown upon a celeb 'opting out' of such a commitment...

Honestly mate, I do get it, I'm not missing anything. I understand the culture, what I'm saying is don't be surprised if the individual rejects it.

 

[WookieD]

A brief jaunt into the history on the matter suggests that this is extremely, highly unlikely.

Yep, and it's where we get word like Pariah from.

 

[CJJ]

Yep, and it's where we get word like Pariah from.

Wasn't there a DJ Mong who tried it, and he pretty much went on the run for ages, then suddenly publicly begged for forgiveness and immediately took conscription?