Ange Postecoglou would be wise to replace Tottenham captain Son Heung-min at half-time against Galatasaray.
And the changes were noticeable straightaway as the hosts took the lead after just six minutes. However, in fairness to the Spurs players, little could be done about Yunus Akgün’s wonder strike.
They responded well, equalising in the 18th minute as Will Lankshear grabbed his first goal for the club, a timely boost for Postecoglou considering Richarlison’s latest injury setback.
However, Spurs continued to make mistakes and give the ball away, and their slopiness cost them midway through the first half as Victor Osimhen restored Galatasaray’s lead, having had a goal ruled out for offside just moments before.
Osimhen grabbed his second of the night in the 39th minute to round off a miserable first half for Postecoglou’s side, and if Spurs are to have any chance of clawing their way back into the match in the second half, changes need to be made.
Ange Postecoglou must axe Son Heung-min at half-time in Tottenham v Galatasaray
While they’ve been poor defensively, injury issues mean there is little that Postecoglou can change in that department. However, he does have room to make substitutions further forward.
And Son is the player who should make way, with the South Korean largely a passenger in the first 45 minutes.
As per Sofascore, Son succeded with zero per cent of his dribble attempts during the first half, while he managed to complete just 67 per cent of his passes.
While he did win two of his three ground duels, he also gave possession away eight times and made one error which resulted in a shot for Galatasaray, which would have particularly frustrated Postecoglou.
And the Australian should bring the 32-year-old off at the break.
Tottenham Hotspur will keep ahold of Son Heung-min, at least for one more season. Spurs are due to trigger a clause in the captain’s contract.
As it stands, Tottenham Hotspur have six players with contracts expiring in 2025. Standing out above the rest in the list is Son Heung-min. However, fear not, Tottenham fans.
There is not seemingly any concern with Son Heung-min. The fans have essentially accepted that he will stay at the club beyond 2025, since this season is not the right season to lose him.
The current Tottenham captain is still capable of playing at a great level, despite being 32 years old. Therefore, Spurs would like to keep him beyond the end of the current campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur set to keep Son Heung-min due to contract clause
According to a report from English outlet The Telegraph, Tottenham are bound to trigger a clause in Son Heung-min’s contract, extending it by one year.
This way, Son will surpass the ten year mark at the club, which is a tremendous achievement. The South Korea international was signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and has become a Tottenham legend ever since.
As it stands, Son Heung-min has made an incredible 310 Premier League appearances for Tottenham. In the Premier League, he has netted an impressive 123 goals, despite striker not being his main position.
Son Heung-min has seen many great players come and unfortunately, a few great players go at Tottenham. He has played alongside some terrific players including Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris, Harry Kane and even Gareth Bale during his tenure at the club.
He is not linked with a move away from Tottenham. However, it was always bound to be the case that the media would link him away from the club as this season progressed. Hopefully, the decision to extend his contract by one year will delay those inevitable rumours.
Who knows? Tottenham could even offer Son Heung-min a new deal which see him remain under contract in North London beyond 2026. There is nothing stopping this from becoming the case, particularly if he continues to produce performances to the same level as he has been.
This season, Son has scored three Premier League goals and provided three assists. So, that’s six goal involvements in seven league appearances. It is not bad going, by any stretch of the imagination.
Recently marking his return from injury with an assist, Tottenham fans know they have got their Sonny back.
