It’s clearly Son Heung-Min News Wednesday, and frankly I’m okay with that because who doesn’t love Sonny? (Answer: probably still Everton fans, but y’know.) Anyway, for our third piece on Son today, there’s actually breaking news: Tottenham Hotspur are expected to trigger a clause in Sonny’s contract to extend him for a further year, through the 2025-26 season.
This news is courtesy of the Evening Standard and Dan Kilpatrick, which broke the news today. Sonny had brought up the topic of his contract in that same press conference that we’ve already dedicated two pieces to, and basically said he’s not worried about it right now.
“We haven’t talked (about) anything yet. It was very clear for me, I’m very focused for this season. At this age, every second is like a goal. Especially this season, we are in a lot of competitions, it feels like I’m taking even more care about this.
“I’m just fully focused on this situation and this year. I just want to win something that everybody in this club and these players and all around deserves. That’s what I’m working for.
“In the future, you never know what’s going to happen. But I will make sure I give everything for this club. It’s almost ten years that I give everything. We’ll see what happens. I still have a contract with the club which is the main important thing. I just want to give everything while I have my contract.”
There was a time where Daniel Levy loved his one year contract extension triggers, and we’ve seen this come up a number of times over the years. In truth, it’s not a bad outcome. Son is 32 and turns 33 in July, and no matter how good a player is, with the exception of a few genetic freaks like Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, this is about the time when they start leaving top clubs and think about a quiet retirement in a smaller league.
Extending Sonny by another year gives a cushion for Spurs and Son to think hard about the future and what Son wants to do at the end of his career. Maybe that’s reupping with Spurs and retiring with Tottenham, or maybe it’s returning home and playing in the K-League for a couple seasons, or moving to America for a short stint in the MLS League for Aging Soccer Superstars. All fine and decent options. And it would also give Spurs a chance to (potentially) send off their club captain and legend with all the pomp and admiration he deserves.
Not saying that’s going to happen, but it COULD. And now Spurs have at least one more year with Son to figure all of that stuff out. It’s a good move.