Tottenham Hotspur and Son Heung-min decided to part ways amicably this past summer transfer window after the South Korean superstar sealed his legacy with a Europa League title, but Spurs now miss him more than ever.
Yes, Son was very visibly on the decline and saddled by injuries in the 2024/25 season, but he was also great before the injuries really took hold in the middle of the season under the full weight of Ange Postecoglou's non stop system. And even then, the former Bundesliga star still ended the 2024/25 campaign as Spurs leading goal contributor.
Tottenham made the even more foolish mistake of letting Son leave for MLS without signing an experienced left winger - and they aren't even starting the actual left winger they signed permanently, Mathys Tel, even though he is their best option.
Son Heung-min waltzes into this Tottenham team
The result is that Tottenham are haunted by the ghost of Son, and the uncomfortable truth Spurs have to reckon with is Son, healthy and enjoying his football, probably waltzes into this team as their best attacking player right now, especially with right winger Mohammed Kudus currently injured.
And worse than that, it's even harder to argue against the assertion that Son, Spurs former captain, is more trustworthy with the literal season on the line than any other Tottenham player. Richarlison may have led Everton to safety a few years ago, but Son was the only proven superstar in the big moments - and there is something a lot more remarkable about carrying a team to a Champions League Final than even what Richy did for the Toffees.
So Son leaves behind two mistakes that are tearing Tottenham to bits right now with relegation staring them smack dab in the face. The first was even letting Son go in the first place, because, looking back on it, he would have helped them an awful lot right about now. Then the second was not signing someone like Ademola Lookman with experience to replace him.
MLS or not, Son is on a tear to start the first two games of the MLS season for LAFC with two assists, six key passes, six dribbles completed, and three fouls drawn. It's not just the goals and experience Tottenham miss. Tottenham miss the way he could create chances, move the ball up the pitch, take people on, and lift the entire team. Spurs don't have that either, and Kudus's absence only compounds what they are missing on the left side.