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Can Son Heung-min, who is actually having his worst season except for his debut season after joining Tottenham, turn all the evaluations around. First of all, it is urgent to return to injury.
Tottenham is set to play West Ham United in the 35th round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2024-2025 season at London Stadium in London, England, at 10 p.m. on the 4th (Korea time).
Coach Enze Postecoglou attended a pre-press conference against West Ham on the 2nd and mentioned the possibility of the team's participation. Son Heung-min, who has recently been absent due to a foot injury, was also forced to leave out. Postecoglou said, `Son Heung-min is working hard. Recovering and still doing individual training away from the team. Training on the turf and feeling better every day. We will see and check the condition for the European match."
Tottenham Express, which reported the news of Tottenham, explained on social media that `Son Heung-min is trying to return to the ground but is working hard to play in the second game against Glimt.'
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Son Heung-min has been absent for nearly a month due to a recent foot injury. The start was against Wolverhampton. At that time, Son Heung-min rested in the aftermath of the Europa League game. Even ahead of the second Europa League quarterfinal match against Frankfurt, Postecoglou said, "(We discussed whether to take Son to Frankfurt, but decided that it would be better to leave him to increase his chances of playing in the UEL semifinals as much as possible." he said.
However, Son Heung-min's absence did not end soon. In the league, the absence continued in succession, and concerns about his physical condition grew. Postecoglou also mentioned the seriousness of the condition ahead of the match against Nottingham. `Son Heung-min's injury is a long-standing problem. The condition is getting worse rather than better. I decided it was a good time to give him a break now."
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Fans also complained when Son Heung-min's physical condition did not improve. Some fans responded to the news that Son Heung-min had been suffering from injury problems for several weeks, saying, "Why on earth did you keep an injured player playing?", "Why didn't you think about using him for important games" and "There could have been a risk of injury all season.", "I hope the poor Son Heung-min can continue to rest..." he criticized.
This is not the first time that Tottenham's medical staff have been criticized. In March, Christian Romero, Tottenham's vice president, directly pointed out Tottenham's medical staff. At the time, Romero told Argentina's TyC Sports "I could have come back a lot quicker, but I couldn't. Nothing happened and it's been months since I was injured. That's why everything is so complicated. The Argentine national team's medical team saved me from a bad moment. Thank you to them..." he openly criticized Tottenham's medical staff for their incompetence. Since then, news has emerged that Romero has been dissatisfied with Tottenham's medical staff and has also suffered opinions in the rehabilitation process, raising concerns about Tottenham's medical system. If Son Heung-min is also not treated properly like Romero, it could suggest that Tottenham's medical staff have a serious problem in managing their injuries.
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Son Heung-min has been a steel king in all seasons since joining Tottenham, including this season. Earlier in January, global sports media The Athletic said Tottenham's full-time medical team and sports science team leader had stepped down after colliding with coach Enze Postecoglou. Tottenham's medical staff has not been properly managed, and Son Heung-min has been absent at the most important time of the season.
However, if Son Heung-min returns after a long break, it could be an important help to revive Tottenham's opportunity to turn around its performance this season. Tottenham is not short of being considered the worst season ever if it misses the opportunity to win the Europa League due to poor performance this season. If Son Heung-min returns to the Europa League semifinals and finals amid a sluggish trend and leads his team to victory, attention will continue to be paid to whether Son Heung-min will return because he can reverse the evaluation itself for this season.
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Meanwhile, for Son Heung-min, the 2024-2025 season was a series of trials in addition to injury problems. It was a season of great regret that even the BBC, a British public broadcaster, criticized it. When Son Heung-min's slump was repeated in April, the BBC said, `Son Heung-min seems to be no longer an indispensable player for Tottenham.' `Son Heung-min does not look as sharp as he used to be. There is no doubt that Son Heung-min is a legend of Tottenham. But his influence is getting weaker, and his pace is falling no less. Now Son Heung-min seems to be no longer an indispensable player for Tottenham.
The Telegraph, a leading British newspaper, even argued that it is time for Tottenham to send Son Heung-min out. The Telegraph said it is time for Tottenham to consider releasing Son Heung-min, adding, `Considering his dedication over 10 years at Tottenham, these difficult questions are brutal, but the reality is inevitable. He is struggling to make a strong impression. However, his explosive and decisive power cannot be found at the moment. He has scored only one goal in his last 17 games. No goals in open play situations in the league since January 15. It feels more and more reasonable to question whether Son Heung-min is still eligible for Tottenham's starting job.'"
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Before leaving the injury, it has been steadily the subject of criticism this season, and the possibility of release has been discussed several times. Tottenham also expressed doubts about Son Heung-min's skills, withdrawing his previously scheduled long-term contract renewal plan and only invoking a one-year extension option in January. Depending on the situation, the possibility of selling Son Heung-min in the upcoming summer transfer market cannot be ruled out. However, Son Heung-min, who has devoted 10 years to Tottenham and is already considered a legendary rank, is more regrettable about the current evaluation and the club's attitude.
Son Heung-min, who is suffering from injuries and sluggishness this season, is aiming for the last chance to turn around the evaluation. Attention is focusing on whether Son Heung-min will be able to shake off all the regrets of this season by contributing to the Europa League victory by returning from injury.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
