It’s a new era at Tottenham Hotspur, and the imminent departure of iconic captain Heung-min Son perhaps best encapsulates the changing of the guard.
After winning the Europa League in May, Daniel Levy decided to dismiss Ange Postecoglou and bring in Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who has done such good work in west London.
Ange left a hero, but it was probably the correct decision, for Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League and looked so susceptible defensively.
But he made a promise, and he kept that promise.
It’s a new era, but Tottenham’s pre-season preparations with Frank at the helm haven’t been without their disruptions. Son is set to play his football away from N17, and James Maddison faces a lengthy return to the infirmary.
Pre-season blows at Spurs
Son, having won silverware in his final competitive month at Tottenham, has established legendary status at the club. However, he will leave having restored title-winning success, closing in on a move to LAFC in the United States.
This has been coming, but the departure of a key attacking talent has been exacerbated by the cruel injury suffered by Maddison in pre-season last weekend, stretchered off against Newcastle United with a suspected knee injury.
Following the Morgan Gibbs White debacle, failing in their pursuit of the Nottingham Forest playmaker after being accused of an illegal approach, this is a bleak setback for Frank’s project in its infancy.
And Son’s exit too highlights the need for reinforcements, with the new Premier League season less than two weeks away.
All in all, though, banking £20m for a player who is on the decline, no matter how influential, is decent business for the Lilywhites, but they will need to sign a replacement, even having landed West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus for a £55m fee.
Spurs lining up deal for CL superstar
According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, 24, withis set for face-to-face talks with president Florentino Perez as his future continues to be a talking point amid Tottenham interest.
Despite interest from Arsenal and Liverpool this summer, it’s beginning to look like Spurs are the most likely destination for the Brazil international, should he jump ship this summer.
Son’s departure opens up a window of opportunity for the outfit, who are now expected to formally pursue a deal and secure Frank a marquee man at the beginning of his tenure.
Why Spurs must push for Rodrygo
Kudus is a fantastic winger who will add some electric athleticism to Tottenham’s senior set-up, but he’s not yet proven himself to be a goalscoring presence in the vein of Son.
Rodrygo, however, is “terrifyingly good” in front of goal, so says Sky Sports reporter Sam Tighe, having scored 50 goals across the past three campaigns with Real Madrid despite having routinely played out of position on the right flank.
Because of this, Rodrygo’s natural aptitude for making the net bulge suggests that he could fit right into life at Tottenham as Son’s successor, for he actually clinched six goals and six assists apiece over just 12 games as a left-sided forward in 2024/25, limited in his natural position due to Vincius Junior’s presence.
The South Korean has been recorded to have been the statistical best finisher in football since 2014, one year before his Tottenham career commenced, and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous Premier League wingers of his generation.
Big boots to fill, but that’s why Rodrygo is perfect. The Brazilian is accustomed to pressure, having played out the lion’s share of his senior years at the biggest club in the world, and is dynamic enough that his goalscoring ability, described as “unstoppable” by Madrid columist Kiyan Sobhani when at its slickest, is built atop a wide-ranging skill set.
As you can see below, the two forwards actually rank up rather similarly over the past year, so he could dovetail right in, especially with Frank being something of an expert at raising the level of his wide forwards.
Goals
0.35
0.32
Assists
0.22
0.32
Shots taken
2.54
2.46
Shot-creating actions
4.56
4.89
Pass completion
85.7%
78%
Touches (att pen)
5.84
4.70
Progressive passes
4.69
4.28
Progressive carries
5.07
5.41
Successful take-ons
2.15
1.59
However, Rodrygo’s tactical dynamism and propensity for success across a range of positions have also seen him likened to Maddison by data-powered site FBref, along with Son.
Maddison, 28, faces the unknown once again, and the potential loss of his creativity and passing for a large chunk of the upcoming term is a concerning thought indeed.
However, Rodrygo has the skill set to add some sparkle to the playmaking side of the Tottenham system, averaging just north of a key pass per game across the entirety of his Real Madrid career, as per WhoScored.
Let’s not forget, Maddison blew the Premier League away upon signing for Tottenham, picking up the division’s Player of the Month award for August 2023 as he served as the fulcrum of Postecoglou’s staggering start to life at the helm.
The Real Madrid man’s 85.7% pass completion average further bespeaks his ability to promote fluency and control through deeper build-up phases of play, something Frank will undoubtedly look to capture and direct as he implements a slower, more controlled style of football than that of his predecessor.
Ultimately, Tottenham have suffered a setback through the injury to Maddison. It’s not what was needed as Son prepared for his poignant send-off.
However, there remains almost a month of the market being open for business, and if Levy can pull off a deal for Rodrygo, there’s no question that this football club will be primed for success on an even grander stage than the 2024/25 season.