Tottenham Hotspur fans have been watching their current and former players in the World Cup, and whereas the legendary striker Harry Kane had a brilliant opener for the England national team against Croatia, Son Heung-min, his former partner in crime, is having a much more difficult time asserting himself for the South Korean national team.
South Korea were able to prevail in their opener against Czechia, but things did not go as well for them in Guadalajara against hosts Mexico. They lost 1-0 in a disappointing performance, but what was really head scratching for everyone watching, including commentator and former Premier League icon Owen Hargreaves, was the eary substititution of the captain Son.
They took out their main striker in the 56th minute after they had just gone down 1-0 from a bizarre goalkeeping error, meaning they took out their best chance at getting a win. It was a strange decision that predictably came back to bite South Korea, because while they did come close to scoring from a couple of crosses, they looked worse without Son on the pitch overall.
South Korea are not using Son Heung-min right
Son Heung-min is not the same player he was five years ago or even three, which is why Tottenham Hotspur let him walk with his head held high after the 2024/25 season's Europa League triumph. He does not even score many goals in MLS these days. But he does provide a constant threat, great linking play, and dangerous transitions off the wing on counters with plenty of assists.
There is no doubt that Son is an asset and South Korea's best player, even at the age of 33. So it was heartbreaking to see how South Korea were utilizing and treating Son against Mexico. He can play as a No. 9, but he is by far better off the left wing, which is something Tottenham can definitely attest to, having watched him as a left winger compared to a striker during his time in North London.
South Korea could get a lot more out of Son if they did not make him so isolated up top and trying to fend off three players in the middle, taking away his ability to dribble and cause danger or create chances on the break. And then subbing him off so early in the second half of a close game with the other team leading is just straight up insulting and borderline coaching malpractice.
Add us as a preferred source on Google