Nearly a decade-long partnership now likely to continue into 2026: Son Heung-min and Tottenham. Certainly the most delicate period for London club, timing announcements of an extension for the South Korean forward. An icon at Tottenham, Son continues to be the face in the backdrop of a team where constant highs and lows have occurred.
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A leader amidst chaos
Through 2015, Son had played in 431 matches, netting 169 goals while wearing his captain's arm band to show the resilience of Tottenham. To the teams that had never won a title since the Carabao Cup in 2008, Son had been a symbol of hope as the team's fans wait hungrily for a breakthrough into silverware.
His contract renewal until 2026 is an attempt to keep the competitive flame alive in a squad struggling to re-establish itself among the elite of the Premier League. Yet, statistics from the current season don't lie: Tottenham sits 12th, far from the glory their supporters crave.
The curse of collective titles
As brilliant as Son has been, his Tottenham career is marred by one glaring void: the absence of collective trophies. Having been named the best player in the Premier League for both 2018/19 and 2019/20, top scorer in key tournaments, and even the 2020 Puskás Award for an unforgettable solo against Burnley, these personal accolades have not seen a corresponding addition to the club's cabinet.
The contrast is stark. While Son racks up individual achievements, Tottenham remains stagnant, struggling for consistency in one of the world's toughest leagues. It's fair to ask how long even a star of Son's caliber can continue to carry the team.
This season and Tottenham's struggles
This season, Son has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise turbulent campaign. He has remained the offensive engine of Spurs with ten goals and eight assists so far this season as the results falter. A key contribution he made this season was during the pulsating 4-3 win over Manchester United to seal a place in the Carabao Cup semifinals.
Yet the bigger picture in the Premier League is bleak. The team have not won in four, and under Ange Postecoglou, sit mid-table. It is a relief that Son has extended, but his new deal has also served as a reminder that there is no defined plan to make Tottenham competitive.
Moreover, the European market does not seem to have made important proposals for a player who, still retaining an excellent level, is 31 years old. With Neymar, Salah, and Cristiano Ronaldo on the market, Son may have found Tottenham as the best balance between stability and prominence.
What does the future hold?
That is to say, Tottenham simply can't count on Son's talent alone to compete anymore. The extension of his contract was a partial victory, but the urgent thing needed in the club now is to build a roster that fits him and offers real chances of contention. Otherwise, Son risks spending the final years of his career as one of the best players never to have won a collective trophy in London.