Tottenham Hotspur’s turbulent season has hit new lows, with the club languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and crashing out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
As the pressure mounts on manager Ange Postecoglou, former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson has raised concerns over the commitment of some Spurs players—particularly club captain Heung-min Son.
Phil Thompson on Tottenham captain Heung-min Son
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, Thompson suggested that some players might no longer be fully engaged with Postecoglou’s system. He singled out Son, questioning whether the South Korean forward still has the same passion and intensity that made him one of the Premier League’s most feared attackers.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, Thompson said:
“So I think them with Ange has been a thing. I do think it’s always hard when you get so many injuries and when they keep on coming and it’s hard. But I look at some of his players who seem to have lost their way, are they not listening to Ange anymore?
“The biggest one is Son. What has happened to him at that point? He was a match-winner.
“He was full of energy. And this season, it’s not just in these last couple of months. He has looked so short of it.
“He looks as though he’s not got the passion, the commitment, the ability anymore. Doesn’t look as though he’s got that pace. And he’s the one who just is what Tottenham have been all about this year.”
Heung-min Son’s form under criticism
Despite these concerns, Son remains one of Tottenham’s most productive players this season, having scored 10 goals and provided 8 assists in 33 appearances across all competitions.
However, his inconsistency has become a growing concern. In Tottenham’s recent 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa, Son struggled to make an impact, failing to provide his usual spark in attack, with him being criticised for hiding.
While criticism has intensified, Spurs’ ongoing injury crisis must also be factored in. With Premier Injuries reporting that 11 first-team players are currently sidelined, Postecoglou has had to rely heavily on key figures like Son, who has played extensive minutes without adequate rest.
This lack of rotation has made it difficult for Tottenham to maintain their early-season form, with fatigue likely playing a role in Son’s recent struggles.
The dip in form has resulted in speculations over his long-term future at the club with suggestions that the club are considering letting him go at the end of this season.
Whether he can rediscover his best form and help drag Tottenham out of their current slump remains to be seen, but with pressure mounting on both the players and Postecoglou, the coming weeks will be crucial in defining the rest of the club’s season.
