Head-scratching nonsense from EPL continues in latest Tottenham snub
By Gary Pearson
The Premier League shortlist for Player of the Year is devoid of the one name most people thought would be on it, Tottenham’s Son Heung-min.
The outrage from Tottenham supporters is widespread and resounding. The Korean superstar shared the Golden Boot with Mo Salah and was yet again instrumental in the side’s Champions League qualification.
Sonny scored a brace on the final day of the season to secure Tottenham’s place in next season’s Champions League. He also scored 15 in the last 18 matches of the season, a stretch that included 14 goals in as many matches to conclude the wondrous campaign.
Sonny added nine assists to his 23 goals in 35 appearances. That’s 32 total goal contributions, almost one per game for the player who contributes immeasurably more than what his outstanding offensive stats indicate.
None of Sonny’s 23 goals came from the spot, another factor that should have contributed to him being nominated for the coveted individual honour.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) were all nominated for the award.
The entire list are deserving nominees, but that doesn’t offer an excuse for leaving Sonny off the list.
Sonny scored 0.69 goals per 90 minutes, a rate of scoring only bettered by Salah and Jamie Vardy’s .75 goals per 90. In terms of non-penalty goals, Sonny sits atop of that chart, scoring five more than Salah and seven more than Sadio Mane.
He was also just behind Salah for most goals and assists, with Sonny on 36, six behind the Egyptian.
As the internet and Twitter will adamantly and aggressively tell you, seeing the list of nominees devoid of Sonny is mystifying, non-sensical and, quite frankly, angering.
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Of course no explanation will be forthcoming, but Sonny is the consummate professional and will invariably come back stronger next season. Although I’m not sure what else he needs to do to get the recognition he clearly deserves.