Football: Second half of season could change everything for Spurs, says Son Heung-min

LONDON – After a first half of the season he described as “a bit disappointing”, Son Heung-min insisted ahead of the north London derby against Arsenal on Sunday that “the second part of the season could change everything”.

While Spurs are fifth in the English Premier League and just six points adrift of reigning champions and second-placed Manchester City, their performances have too often been unconvincing.

It has mirrored Son’s own campaign, which has seen him fail to find the net on 20 of his 23 appearances for Spurs following an imperious 2021-22 season, which saw the South Korean become the first Asian to win the Premier League’s Golden Boot.

When asked to assess the season so far on Friday, the 30-year-old forward said: “When you see back, in a few games, we could get some more points. It was also a bit disappointing but I feel like we can do so much better in the second half of the season.

“We have amazing talented players, a positive group... it’s now just halfway, I think the second part of the season could change everything. So I think we should believe that and everyone should start to get ready to throw their bodies (on the line) to get the club in a better position.”

Offering one potential reason behind his dip in form this season, Son conceded that it was mentally difficult to toggle between the responsibilities of being captain of South Korea and his duties as a key player for Spurs.

He explained: “Actually, it was a bit tough because I was really focused on Spurs first before the World Cup and had to turn around mentally. Physically, I think it’s OK because we’re used to playing at this time... But, mentally, playing for club and country are also a bit different, so I think this made (things) a little bit difficult.”

Son added that winning the Golden Boot “meant a lot”, but he was keen to stress that “it already passed” and he is looking to the future. Still, there is no avoiding the fact that he has gone from the most “goal-den” season of his career to what has threatened to be his annus horribilis.

Despite looking like a superhero with his facial protection – which he said earlier in January is “sometimes annoying because I can’t see the ball because of the mask” – there is no masking the fact that his form has waned. The 24 goals he plundered in 2021-22 seem like a cruel and confusing mirage when compared to his current form.

His goals-per-90 minutes ratio (0.28) this term is the lowest of his career. Statistics published by The Athletic on Dec 30 also revealed that his assists-per-90 (0.16), pass completion rate (69.1 per cent) as well as his figures per 90 minutes for successful dribbles (0.9), passes received (27.7) and loose balls recovered (2.5) are all the lowest of his Spurs stint, which began in 2015.

Sky Sports reported on Jan 4 that his numbers for chances created from open play and completed dribbles are the poorest of his seven seasons in England. He had ranked in the top 12 in the Premier League in both categories regularly since 2016.

Not that it matters to his manager. Antonio Conte had said ahead of Spurs’ win over Crystal Palace on Jan 5: “If we put him in this discussion, we are in trouble because Sonny and (Harry) Kane are the two most important players (along) with Hugo Lloris... If we start to have doubts about them, then we are really in trouble.”

According to Spurs legend and club ambassador Ledley King, there could soon be an addition to that trio of indispensables in World Cup winner Cristian Romero.

The former Spurs captain and coach told The Sunday Times: “He seems to have a great understanding of when to be aggressive but is also very calm and relaxed with the ball at his feet and not that many defenders are like that.

“He’s got a huge passion for defending and, to win the World Cup, that can only boost your confidence... He is, for me, one of the best around in his position already.”

Having played just 15 matches for Spurs this season due to hamstring and adductor injuries, the 24-year-old Argentinian could be key for a team that had conceded first in 10 consecutive competitive matches before their win over Palace.

King added: “We’re third-highest in terms of goals scored, so it’s just about getting back to our defensive disciplines.”

Even as Son believes the latter part of the season will ring in positive changes, he has already been roped in by AIA Singapore to motivate mindset changes in Singaporeans.

At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday, he was unveiled as AIA Singapore’s first brand ambassador.

It hopes the three-time Spurs Player of the Season can inspire Singaporeans to improve their physical health, motivation and mental health as well as financial health.

King has no doubt Son can do that, saying: “Having been involved in the coaching side of things... he’s just a delightful person to deal with and he’s going to make a brilliant ambassador.”