Player Watch Player Watch: Son Heung-min

[rabbikeane]

Whether Son wants to pull the same trick I'm not sure he can, as he'd have to retire from international football and would be a stain on his name.

And he wouldn't be able to go back and bang k-pop princesses. It's a tough choice.

 

[St José Dominguez]

I just read the golfer story and he was a US resident but his visa expired, and the only reason why he did it at 29 was because he was trying to avoid it by trying to keep his residency and failed, and then was forced to do the military service. Whether Son wants to pull the same trick I'm not sure he can, as he'd have to retire from international football and would be a stain on his name.

Son wouldn't do that. If it is case he has to start it at 27 then he has two games of football to save his career. No idea what occurs as he's contracted to club, can't just rip up his contract as we'd lose his transfer fee. Korean FA buying out his contract would likely cost £15m and we'd still lose his fee. Once Levy gets them on the phone and demands his transfer value of £70m I'm sure they'll give him a delay until he turns 33.

 

[jimmy-jojo]

It seems strange to me that they are even able to be exempt if they achieve the requisite sporting success.

Seems to imply that even the authorities see it as something of a negative thing to have to do.

Deferring to a later age seems to be a more reasonable alternative.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

I know this has probably been answered a million times but do SK have to win for him to get exemption? Or will a runners up medal do it.

Winners.

 

[rabbikeane]

If he doesn't win it I'm sure Spurs will try and explore alternative solutions but why should South Korea change their policy for one man? We always say there is no bigger individual than Tottenham Hotspur, so why should it be any different for South Korea.

Guess they have to look at what he gives them of promotion all over the world, and make a decision whether it's worth it or not. There's already talk of whether BTS international success will make them worthy of exemption, they're younger than Son so perhaps he won't benefit although their situation is similar. Their government are very eager on positive exposure of South Korea internationally, in a way that's a form of defense and community service as well. You'd think an agreement could be made when combined with Son and Spurs doing football schools etc. and promoting football over there as well.

 

[mattie g]

I think the whole thing is bullshit. Professional athletes are pretty much the only example of a career that is most definitely finite, and where losing two years of it could be up to 10, 15% of it.

I'm sure Sonny wants to serve his country, but I don't really understand why elite professional athletes couldn't be given a deferral to serve when they are 35.

South Korea has been staring down the barrel of a hostile, unstable North Korea for the last 60 years. I personally don’t think those of us not in that position should declare whether their requirement to have all able-bodied adults serve some type of national service is bullshit or not.

I’m as unhappy as any other Spurs fan at the thought of possibly losing Son to such national service, but I’m not going to pretend that I’m in any way qualified to make a call as to the legitimacy of the need for him to serve.

I will say, however, that IMO the whole deferment for winning a medal is kind of ridiculous. Either allow deferments for elite-level athletes or don’t. Whether they win a medal or not should make no difference. Of course...what constitutes “elite” is subjective and brings potential to be manipulated.

 

[zicomerc]

Vietnam beat Syria 1-0 aet, so meet South Korea in semis on Wednesday. They've also yet to concede a goal till now just like Uzbekistan before today.

Japan face UAE in the other semi.

 

[St José Dominguez]

If you've got Korean pop stars having to do it then there's zero chance Son would be allowed to delay enlisting. There's Korean actors who are more famous than him who have had to enlist too putting their career on pause. If he doesn't win the next two games he'll be enlisting next year, there's no way out of it.

It's very confusing why we signed him in first place though, we must have known this was very likely. Why would we pay good money for someone who we would be losing pretty much on a free 4 years later. Is odd, unless there's something we're missing and we'll be financially reimbursed. His value now will be a fraction of what it is when he returns, if he's even kept on the books.

 

[dtxspurs]

If you've got Korean pop stars having to do it then there's zero chance Son would be allowed to delay enlisting. There's Korean actors who are more famous than him who have had to enlist too putting their career on pause. If he doesn't win the next two games he'll be enlisting next year, there's no way out of it.

It's very confusing why we signed him in first place though, we must have known this was very likely. Why would we pay good money for someone who we would be losing pretty much on a free 4 years later. Is odd, unless there's something we're missing and we'll be financially reimbursed. His value now will be a fraction of what it is when he returns, if he's even kept on the books.

Cause he was and has been a damn good player. Why does every player have to be viewed as what we can sell him for? Son has been a huge part in maintaining us as a Champions League team. That enough justifies and covers his price tag.

 

[St José Dominguez]

Cause he was and has been a damn good player. Why does every player have to be viewed as what we can sell him for? Son has been a huge part in maintaining us as a Champions League team. That enough justifies and covers his price tag.

I agree with that but let's be honest the club don't look at things like that. He's an asset who we paid £22m (quite big money back then) for, they wouldn't have known the market would have exploded so we must have known in just 4 years we wouldn't get any of that back. It doesn't feel very Levy to me.

He has been incredible, he is one of my fav players here. In one year though it's very possible with his enlisting we will have to replace him. How much will that cost? 50m maybe. It's all just bad business and retrospectively it's hard to imagine Levy being okay with what could occur.

 

[dtxspurs]

I agree with that but let's be honest the club don't look at things like that. He's an asset who we paid £22m (quite big money back then) for, they wouldn't have known the market would have exploded so we must have known in just 4 years we wouldn't get any of that back. It doesn't feel very Levy to me.

He has been incredible, he is one of my fav players here. In one year though it's very possible with his enlisting we will have to replace him. How much will that cost? 50m maybe. It's all just bad business and retrospectively it's hard to imagine Levy being okay with what could occur.

Your post made it seem like you didn't know why we signed him so thats what I was referring to. I'd imagine they thought the issue would take care of itself over time.

 

[St José Dominguez]

Your post made it seem like you didn't know why we signed him so thats what I was referring to. I'd imagine they thought the issue would take care of itself over time.

Yeah I realise sounded like I wouldn't have signed him, was I don't know why the club signed him. A lot can be said about us but flippant with money it can't. £22m is £50m in today's terms and the club seemed okay with idea we'd be likely losing all that.
History told the club he had 4 years to win something. I'm certain they know something we don't in terms of financials, no way could I see Levy okaying that deal 3 years ago otherwise.

 

[dtxspurs]

Yeah I realise sounded like I wouldn't have signed him, was I don't know why the club signed him. A lot can be said about us but flippant with money it can't. £22m is £50m in today's terms and the club seemed okay with idea we'd be likely losing all that.
History told the club he had 4 years to win something. I'm certain they know something we don't in terms of financials, no way could I see Levy okaying that deal 3 years ago otherwise.

Well we just signed him to a contract extension so they're obviously comfortable with the consequences.

 

[St José Dominguez]

Well we just signed him to a contract extension so they're obviously comfortable with the consequences.

If he doesn't win the next two games I'm not particularly comfortable with the consequences. They've protected their asset so they probably get the original fee back when he comes back aged 29.
Next year we'll need to replace him, that in today's market costs £60-£70m, we won't be getting any fee for him to go into the transfer pot so it's probable we will be getting a much inferior player in.

In terms of his career it would make more sense for him to enlist now if he doesn't win gold. He'll have a better chance of continuing his career here or elsewhere season 2020/21 than following year when he'll be approaching 30 years old.

 

[danielneeds]

maybe they consider a deferral as privilege to celebrities

I’m not saying celebrities - singers, actors - they can do both until they die. Just international class athletes who only have ten, or maybe 15 years at the top. Any international footballer, top 200 tennis, or golf, Olympic squad qualifier gets to defer until 35 and then do the full two years.

It’s not showing disrespect to the country to say those people are a slightly different case. And it’s not like they won’t serve their time.

 

[tiger666]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45277281

Son Heung-min: Could the Tottenham forward really do military service?

 

[hughy]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45277281

Son Heung-min: Could the Tottenham forward really do military service?

Is the answer "yes"?

 

[tiger666]

Is the answer "yes"?

Maybe ..

 

[zicomerc]

South Korea 1-0 up against Vietnam after 10 mins. Looking much stronger than previous matches.

 

[mark87]

South Korea 1-0 up against Vietnam after 10 mins. Looking much stronger than previous matches.

Great to hear. Where are you getting updates from?