Player Watch Player Watch: Son Heung-min

[wrd]

Sons been shit in recent weeks, let's not put bells and whistles on it. He is a world class finisher, statistically I'm told he's the best finisher in europe which is why he's an important player for us but he's offering very little beyond that. His passing has been poor recently, he's not getting on the ball and pulling players out of position or trying to take them on. He's not making runs. If our other options were not diabolical then he'd be dropped.

I say that as somebody who adores the guy. I'm happy for him to live off of his brilliant finishes when things are going well but if he wants a contract of 200 grand a week or whatever it is then he needs to be a talisman during these difficult moments. He needs to find ways to not be marked out of games so easily.

I heard Kane might be back at weekend but if he isn't maybe we can try Bergwijn in his actual position as a LW and move Son to the right or even as the forward just to see what happens. who knows in reality I know positional changes won't change a thing but I'm willing to try anything to get some stimulant into the forwards legs at this point.

 

[morris25]

He's definately a fair weather player. Can never rely on him.

 

[mil1lion]

I thought Rio and Jenas nailed it before the game. He just doesn't have confidence in the players around him the same way as Kane. He comes to life when Kane has the ball. I kind of sense that the combination total means a lot to him too. He just seems to try that bit harder to finish a chance that Kane has laid off to him. I think Kane has done for Son what Berbatov did for Keane. They were still quality players but they're on another level when they have a player like that around them.

My real hope is that we get Lo Celso in this team with Ndombele and Kane. In the meantime I'm surprised we haven't tried Bale more central because I think Son would up his game with him around. They linked well in the short time they worked together in Europa and I think Bale is one of the players who can pick him out (along with Ndombele). I've felt for a while this season that our front 4 have been firing on 2 cylinders, Ndombele seems like he could add to that but hasn't influenced the game as much lately either.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Not worried about him leaving, personally. Once we bring in a manager who (presumably) has an actual attacking philosophy, he'll be fine.

 

[1966]

I thought Rio and Jenas nailed it before the game. He just doesn't have confidence in the players around him the same way as Kane. He comes to life when Kane has the ball. I kind of sense that the combination total means a lot to him too. He just seems to try that bit harder to finish a chance that Kane has laid off to him. I think Kane has done for Son what Berbatov did for Keane. They were still quality players but they're on another level when they have a player like that around them.

My real hope is that we get Lo Celso in this team with Ndombele and Kane. In the meantime I'm surprised we haven't tried Bale more central because I think Son would up his game with him around. They linked well in the short time they worked together in Europa and I think Bale is one of the players who can pick him out (along with Ndombele). I've felt for a while this season that our front 4 have been firing on 2 cylinders, Ndombele seems like he could add to that but hasn't influenced the game as much lately either.

He seems to celebrate harder (or at least differently) when Kane gets the assist too. He definitely has a connection with Kane beyond the rest of the squad -- sort of a small team within a team. I'd imagine they're at least fairly good friends off the pitch.

There's nothing inherently wrong with any of that, except when it means that you don't perform adequately with the rest of the team. But I don't think Son deserves a huge amount of blame for recent results.

 

[1966]

I don't know why but I just don't like him, maybe it's because he's so flaky

Oof. I respect your bravery.

 

[mumfordspur]

Oof. I respect your bravery.

yes I know supporters who like Son more than Kane
(I like them both but need his current form dip to end)

 

[Indisguise]

BTSport are clearly a bunch of Gooners...

 

[pffft]

BTSport are clearly a bunch of Gooners...

I've long suspected there's a standard application form for all TV jobs involving football which includes the question:

Which team do you support:
a) Liverpool
b) Arsenal
c) Man Utd
d) I'm not getting the job am I?

 

[nico97531]

I thought Rio and Jenas nailed it before the game. He just doesn't have confidence in the players around him the same way as Kane. He comes to life when Kane has the ball. I kind of sense that the combination total means a lot to him too. He just seems to try that bit harder to finish a chance that Kane has laid off to him. I think Kane has done for Son what Berbatov did for Keane. They were still quality players but they're on another level when they have a player like that around them.

My real hope is that we get Lo Celso in this team with Ndombele and Kane. In the meantime I'm surprised we haven't tried Bale more central because I think Son would up his game with him around. They linked well in the short time they worked together in Europa and I think Bale is one of the players who can pick him out (along with Ndombele). I've felt for a while this season that our front 4 have been firing on 2 cylinders, Ndombele seems like he could add to that but hasn't influenced the game as much lately either.

I seem to recall in the post match interview after the Brighton game Jose mentioned something along the lines that bale was assigned the Kane’s role which was to cut inside when his on the ball and pick out runs of teammates, obviously that didn’t really work as no one was making runs.

 

[morris25]

Needs to pull his finger on. Can't be demanded £200k pw if he can't play without kane and goes.Missing. He needs to lead

 

[Montalbano]

 

[Tucker]

Understandable, it’s no good hiking his wages up to 200k if a mutant variant of the virus shuts everything down for another year.

 

[bubble07]

Am I being optimistic that I think Son has signed his new deal with us but isn't being announced until the pandemic is eased as people may take offence to the timing of a mega deal?

Weirdly I think Kane is less likely to leave

 

[carpediem991]

Understandable, it’s no good hiking his wages up to 200k if a mutant variant of the virus shuts everything down for another year.

I disagree. We can not let someone like Son slip away because of our wish to save a few k a week. Sure its reasonable from an economic point of view but if he is now being tapped up by big guns like City or United who definitley would pay that kind of money to Sonny, we could be left behind and rather decide to extent Mouras contract by 11 years...

We can wait with players who we can replace in my view.

 

[Tucker]

I disagree. We can not let someone like Son slip away because of our wish to save a few k a week. Sure its reasonable from an economic point of view but if he is now being tapped up by big guns like City or United who definitley would pay that kind of money to Sonny, we could be left behind and rather decide to extent Mouras contract by 11 years...

We can wait with players who we can replace in my view.

Its not inconceivable that the premier league money bubble could burst in the next couple of years if the pandemic continues into next year and more people lose their jobs etc.

It’s all good and well saying we need to keep him under contract but if we don’t have the money we don’t have the money.

It’s not at all unreasonable that the contract talks are on hold for now. It doesn’t sound like either party is in any rush, or unhappy either.

 

[carpediem991]

Its not inconceivable that the premier league money bubble could burst in the next couple of years if the pandemic continues into next year and more people lose their jobs etc.

It’s all good and well saying we need to keep him under contract but if we don’t have the money we don’t have the money.

It’s not at all unreasonable that the contract talks are on hold for now. It doesn’t sound like either party is in any rush, or unhappy either.

If the money bubble should really burst it will be a problem of any team and not giving Son his contract it would not safe us either.

Last time I heard we are in no rush was with Eriksen. Turned out great. I think its quite important that our key players are committed to the club and not start thinking about tempting offers and options.

I can absolutely see that its not a time to splash out millions on probably average players in terms of salary or transfer fees, but if you have ambition to stay at the top, you need to be willing to take certain risks for top quality. (my opinion).

 

[Nicki78]

 

[SlotBadger]

Harsh of Mourinho to call out and to misspell Son when using his voice.

 

[Donki]

That's not a good sign.