Captain Son Heung-min’s stock is rising.
Tottenham Hotspur pulled off a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Sheffield United in the fifth round of the 2023/23 English Premier League (EPL) season at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on Monday (Sept. 16).
Spurs maintained their early season momentum with four straight wins after an opening day draw.
Son Heung-min showed his captain’s class on the day. He applauded his teammate’s goal.
“When he scored, it felt better than when I scored,” Heung-min said of his teammate.
His teammate opened the scoring against Sheffield Wednesday and set the tone for the rest of the game.
Tottenham suffered a power leak in the summer transfer window, with the departure of trusted goalkeeper Harry Kane.
Spurs scrambled to fill the striker void left by Kane’s departure, but it didn’t work out. They had to utilize what they had.
He left Everton for Tottenham ahead of last season. The transfer fee was around 90 billion, so expectations were high.
He didn’t live up to expectations. With only one goal in the league, he gained a reputation as a cheating striker.
Tottenham were forced to cry and eat mustard, but there were some promising performances in pre-season friendlies.
However, he was unable to turn the tide with a disappointing performance, failing to find the back of the net in the league since the start of the season.
Meanwhile, captain Son Heung-min has been a revelation up front.
In the fourth-round tie against Burnley, Son played up front and scored the equalizer in the 16th minute after Tottenham had conceded a goal and were 1-0 down, with a sensational chip shot after seeing the keeper come out of his line and find space following a passing play with Manor Solomon.
Then, Son Heung-min’s show began. In the 19th minute of the second half, after receiving a pass from Solomon, Heung-min surged forward and scored his team’s fourth goal and his second of the season with a direct shot.
Son wasn’t done scoring. In the 22nd minute of the second half, he found space behind the Burnley defense and found the back of the net again after receiving a pass from Foro. It was his first hat-trick of the season.
It was the fourth hat-trick of his career. After Southampton (2020/21), Aston Villa (2021/22), and Leicester City (2022/23), this is the fourth time he has scored against Burnley this season.
Having lost his place in the front line to Son Heung-min, he has been on the verge of tears recently.
On Sept. 9, the Brazilian international started and played 70 minutes before being substituted in the first round of South American qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Bolivia.
Afterward, he sat on the bench and broke down in tears. There were even suggestions that he needed psychological help.
“It wasn’t my performance, it was my anger at what happened off the field. Sometimes things don’t go the way you want them to. Personal things got in the way. You want to do things right, but things happen. The last five months have been a storm. People who only saw my money walked away from me,” he said.
“Now the storm has passed and I’m focused on doing well for Tottenham and the Brazilian national team,” he said.
Tottenham manager Enze Postecoglou gave him another chance, and he rewarded him with a goal.
Son’s captaincy came as a surprise to some.
“He’s not usually a very vocal player at Tottenham,” said Football London. That’s why many people were surprised to see him named captain by Postecoglou.”
“The decision to make Son Heung-min captain was met with surprise among those within Tottenham’s inner circle,” said British outlet The Boot Room. He hasn’t been part of the team’s leadership group in recent years,” and “they were baffled to see him enjoying the responsibility.”
However, the reviews for captain Son Heung-min are positive.
Heung-min reportedly texted vice-captain James Maddison and suggested that he gather in a circle in front of the away fans to make them feel part of the team.
“He talked to the fans and really got them moving,” said Madison.
In particular, he showed his captain’s class by taking the players to greet and thank away fans who came to support him. 토토사이트
The BBC said, “Son Heung-min’s appointment as captain means he has to take on a leadership role he hasn’t had before. “It will be harder for him to hold the team together in difficult situations,” the BBC said.
Add to that the virtue of looking out for his teammate, who, after falling into a slump, set the tone for a turnaround. Captain Son Heung-min’s stock is rising.
With Son Heung-min’s share price on the rise, Tottenham are preparing to extend his contract. They are reportedly looking to extend his deal until June 2025.
According to Paul O’Keefe, a source familiar with Tottenham’s situation, Spurs have held informal talks with Son to push for a contract extension.
Tottenham’s potential move to extend Son’s contract has been welcomed.
“I’d be shocked if Son isn’t offered a new deal, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be,” said Alasdair Gold, a dedicated Tottenham journalist for British outlet Football London.
Tottenham fan site Spurs Web wrote: “Tottenham don’t usually offer long-term contracts to players over the age of 30. However, Son Heung-min is an exception. He looks like he will continue to perform at the highest level for many years to come,” and welcomed the potential extension.
Paul Brown, a journalist for Give Me Sports, also believes that Son will sign a new contract with Tottenham.
“He’s the captain of Tottenham and I think he’s happier than anyone else. He’s taking it to heart. He’s got unbelievable respect beyond the squad and among the wider fan base,” Brown said, referring to presence.
“I don’t see any reason for him to leave Tottenham. Tottenham love him, too. He will sign a new contract. I think he will stay for a while.”