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Tottenham, where the best English Premier League (EPL) solver named Son Heung-min disappeared. There are still many questions about who will come forward as the next fixer.
Tottenham is set to play the final match of the 2025 UEFA Super Cup at the Blue Energy Stadium in Udine, Italy, on the 14th (Korea time). Although Tottenham is a strong team and the European Champions League (UCL) winner Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), it is important to show solid competitiveness as Tottenham opens the door to the 2025-2026 season through this Super Cup match.
The problem is Tottenham's current situation. A wind of change for Tottenham this summer. Thomas Frank was newly appointed, and Son Heung-min, the team's captain and ace, moved to LA FC.
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More than any other problem, Son Heung-min's absence could cause Tottenham great difficulties. Son Heung-min has played for Tottenham for the past decade and has consistently performed well as an attacking option except for his debut season. Moreover, Son Heung-min is recognized as Tottenham's best striker along with Harry Kane and praised as the best troubleshooter in the EPL.
Son Heung-min has been selected as a striker with more points than expected since his debut in the EPL. Son's expected score (xg) in the EPL is 99.52. On the other hand, Son has scored 127 goals overall in the EPL. He scored about 28 goals more than expected. These statistics show that Son Heung-min contributed to the team by scoring more points than expected, whether he had a high or low probability of scoring. It is safe to say that they have excellent efficiency and solver instincts. Pep Guardiola, who has directly experienced Son's troubleshooter side, also said in an interview that `How much Son has bothered us over the past few years.'
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Looking at Tottenham's strikers, where Son Heung-min disappeared, the performance is too bad to be called a troubleshooter instinct. Brennan Johnson (11 goals) scored the most in the league in Tottenham last season. Johnson scored an expected 10.4 goals, 11 goals. James Maddison scored nine goals, more than expected (5.8 goals), but is now out of injury. Frontline striker Dominic Solanke also scored 10 goals, less than the expected score (11.0 goals). For Tottenham, there is currently no striker who can be seen as a clear fixer and killer.
Mohamed Kudus, who is considered an ace as he joins the team anew this season, is no different. The Qudus scored five goals last season, short of expectations (6.9 goals) in the league. It is an expectation that he scored eight goals in the 2023-2024 season, more than the expected score (5.1 goals). However, since Kudus has yet to score double-digit points in the league since his transfer to the EPL, there are also clear factors of anxiety.
In addition, if Dejan Kulusevski, Wilsong Odover and Hishalisson fail to rebound, Son Heung-min's vacancy, who has been in charge of 10 years, will inevitably feel big for Tottenham. I've already felt the reality. Tottenham was lethargic in the attack, collapsing 0-4 in a friendly match against Bayern Munich just before.
Tottenham ahead of Super Cup match against PSG. If Tottenham's concerns ahead of its first season without Kane or Son Heung-min in 10 years are not resolved, the possibility of a really difficult season cannot be ruled out.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
