I really don't think Sonny is even close to finished. You may lose a yard of pace, sure, but you don't just lose your quality that kept you in the top 5 attacking players in the PL for roughly 5-6 years on the trot. He's like a lost sheep out there, and so is practically every other player - they just run into dead ends constantly and don't gather as a cohesive unit into space to pass in-between each other - of course they should take some responsibility as this sort of stuff is taught in U9's, but its the bleddy duty of the coach to call out this shoddy way of playing. Sure, he's not got the blistering pace or confidence he used to have, but one of those can be coached back into him with a little bit of military service and his father getting the trusted belt out for old times sake. He'll never be able to sink 20+ PL goals a season again, but I think he could defo get 10, once the team is being coached properly and his duty within the team has been adapted to maximise his ability to contribute to attacking play.
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Player Heung-Min Son (손흥민)
- Thread starter jimmyriggle
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He may have lost that micro-second of pace that underpinned his game in the EPL . I can still see why he still performs for the Korean national side in tournament qualifiers etc .
It would be interesting to see IF / WHEN we get a new head coach ; if they can re-deploy Sonny given he’ll have less pace but possibly a bit more guile and understanding than the version he was before. It’s happened with other former “pacey forward players “ ; given the right coaches etc . Re-invented ; if you will .
Just saying.
It would be interesting to see IF / WHEN we get a new head coach ; if they can re-deploy Sonny given he’ll have less pace but possibly a bit more guile and understanding than the version he was before. It’s happened with other former “pacey forward players “ ; given the right coaches etc . Re-invented ; if you will .
Just saying.
Not finished, but barely half the player he was. Pace was always his best attribute and he's lost some of that. Wouldn't say he's anything more than a "good" Premier League player now.
At his very best Son had a partner to work with. On the face of it, he looks washed up. However, I would love to see if he could still work in a decent pairing. Working off Solanke for example rather than being so isolated on the left.
As for playing CF. It has never ever worked so it’s not a reasonable way to judge him.
Salah being played CM would look washed. Liverpool play him to his strengths. Spurs play son to the teams system. Not to the players strengths.
As for playing CF. It has never ever worked so it’s not a reasonable way to judge him.
Salah being played CM would look washed. Liverpool play him to his strengths. Spurs play son to the teams system. Not to the players strengths.
Yeah Sonny was never a technical wizard, he's always been a bit sloppy.
When he became super deadly was in counter-attacking setups where he had space and his pace could be fully utilised.
In a possession-based team and having lost that ability to get away from his man, there is very little left.
Pace means jack shit if you can't place a pass, cross or shot. He had (and presumably largely still does) have an amazing ability to find the back of the net. His confidence is awfully shot and I suppose there is a chance it might not fully come back, but I think he's still got another two seasons left in him at the top level under a good coach.
you know when players legs go its not just the 'yard of pace'?? its sharpness in general. its the sharpness that is the killer not a yard of pace.
I hate this confidence excuse. The guy is in the twilight of his career, he's not a 19 year old trying to make his way.
He has had a long career with great goal/assist numbers.
If he is struggling with "confidence" it is because his body no longer allows him to do what he used to. You don't come back from that no matter which coach tries to put an arm around his shoulder.
A proper club with a plan cashes in on Son two years ago or at the very least already has his replacement in and gives Son a squad role for the last couple of seasons.
But like Dier and Lloris, we will flog this horse after its death.
Sure, he's lost a bit of sharpness, but I think this is much more a confidence issue and the fact he's playing in a woefully underperforming team being coached by someone who doesn't quite know what they're doing.
Fair enough, you make a fair point. We should have sold him on last season, etc, but we don't seem to act how most other top teams play in the transfer market - we're not ruthless enough. I just think he's still got enough quality left in him to contribute meaningfully to our team, and we could be utilising him better with a better coach and functioning team around him.
Completely agree - hes 32 and vastly experienced with tons of goals and assists in the bank - the man should not have confidence issues. Hes just not good enough on his own to lead a team and never has been, played his best football with the safety blanket of Kane next to him.
Its over for Son as a prominent player for us - has been for a while now.
hes not lost a bit of sharpness, hes lost a lot! hes not a natural footballer, hes always relied on his body being healthy and strong, thats not the case anymore.
Don’t be a moron and rewrite history
He had 27 PL goal contributions without Kane last season which is elite by any metric
Even when Kane was at Spurs, his goal/assist output per game was higher without Kane than with him
We had long stretches where we played without Kane and Dembele with Son leading out attack upfront with Llorente, and Lucas. And he really pulled us through many very tough stretches, games and moments
At the peak of his career, for 4/5 years, Son was elite and one of the best at his position - don’t ever forget that
Unfortunately for Sonny, he is almost 33 which in winger years is ancient. Most wingers are done and in a lower league by then. Bale barely could walk at that age.
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An alternative reality where no injuries/illness to Solanke, Richie, Odobert & Moore would have seen him play possibly less than half the minutes has done. I’d fully expect him to look a lot more dangerous and be more effective.
Next season starting the odd cup game but coming on most weeks between 65-80 mins could reinvigorate him.
Next season starting the odd cup game but coming on most weeks between 65-80 mins could reinvigorate him.
and if we bring him on for 15/20 mins when does Moore or some other youngster get their mins ?
The previous 70/75 mins
Too quick to jump in on this. Any idiot knows that Sonny isn’t great with his back to the goal (and no runners around); he never really had the skill (nor does anyone really) to dribble away from four or five pressing oppo players; that he can’t play for headers and drop-downs against a couple of centre-backs - never has been, never will.
In case no-one noticed, it’s not just Sonny who’s not hitting any heights, it’s pretty much the whole team. That’s either a) we’ve got a whole squad of players who’ve suddenly turned sh!T or b) the system doesn’t suit the players (at best).
Anyone - and I do mean anyone - could get more from Son by playing a cohesive mid-block and playing with space ahead of the MF, rather than slowly congesting the final third and then blaming it on whichever unfortunate winger / forward is out there.
It’s awful tactics. Don’t let Ange lead you to believe otherwise.
In case no-one noticed, it’s not just Sonny who’s not hitting any heights, it’s pretty much the whole team. That’s either a) we’ve got a whole squad of players who’ve suddenly turned sh!T or b) the system doesn’t suit the players (at best).
Anyone - and I do mean anyone - could get more from Son by playing a cohesive mid-block and playing with space ahead of the MF, rather than slowly congesting the final third and then blaming it on whichever unfortunate winger / forward is out there.
It’s awful tactics. Don’t let Ange lead you to believe otherwise.
What gets on my wick is he is our captain, disgraceful.
Pulls out of challenges, hides , no heart. Plus he couldn’t finish a packet of crisps.
Every single week, it’s like watching Darren Bent again
Pulls out of challenges, hides , no heart. Plus he couldn’t finish a packet of crisps.
Every single week, it’s like watching Darren Bent again