Jamie O’Hara force Ange Postecoglou to replace one Tottenham player immediately
Tottenham Hotspur are enduring a dreadful 2024/25 season, struggling for form under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou. When the Australian manager confidently declared a few months ago that he always wins silverware in his second season at a club, many Spurs fans took his words as a promise of better days ahead. However, with their current performances, Tottenham seem far from challenging for any trophies, and their recent results paint a bleak picture of their aspirations.
Tottenham’s Struggles Exposed by Alarming Form
Spurs have managed to win just one of their last seven matches across all competitions. This slump has left them languishing in 11th place in the Premier League and sitting a disappointing ninth in the Europa League group standings. For a club of Tottenham’s stature, these results are nowhere near acceptable, and frustrations are growing among fans and pundits alike.
Much of the criticism has been directed at the players, many of whom have fallen short of expectations. One of the latest figures to come under scrutiny is club captain Heung-min Son, who has long been a beacon of consistency for Spurs. Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara did not mince his words when assessing Son’s current form, suggesting the South Korean star is no longer the player he once was.
O’Hara: “Son Isn’t World-Class Anymore”
Speaking on talkSPORT, O’Hara expressed his disappointment in Son’s recent performances. His blunt remarks reflected the frustrations of many Spurs supporters who have witnessed their team’s decline this season.
“Listen, I said about Son a couple of months ago, maybe a month ago — he was world-class, but he isn’t anymore. That’s just how it is,” O’Hara said. “He has been a brilliant player for Tottenham, but I think we need to find a replacement. I got slaughtered by Spurs fans for saying it, and I’m right. He is not good enough anymore.”
O’Hara continued, adding: “He can still produce moments, I get that, he has got something to offer. But he isn’t the Son we have been used to watching for the last three or four seasons. He can’t go past someone, he hasn’t got the pace, he hasn’t got the sharpness anymore.”
Son’s Legacy and Current Struggles
Heung-min Son, who joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, has enjoyed a stellar career in North London. Known for his blistering pace, sharp finishing, and relentless work rate, he has amassed 255 goal contributions (goals and assists) in 424 appearances. His consistent performances earned him a place in Tottenham folklore, and he was instrumental during the club’s peak years under Mauricio Pochettino.
However, this season has been a different story. Son has managed just five goals in 16 appearances across all competitions, a noticeable decline compared to his usual standards. Injuries and tactical changes may have played a role, but his recent displays have drawn sharp criticism, with some questioning whether his best days are behind him.
Do the Stats Support the Criticism?
While O’Hara’s frustration is understandable given Tottenham’s poor form, Son’s underlying statistics suggest his decline might not be as drastic as it seems. Comparing this season to his 2023/24 campaign provides some interesting insights.
Last season, Son scored 17 goals and registered 10 assists in the Premier League, averaging 2.4 shots, 1.9 key passes, and 1.1 dribbles per game. He was dispossessed 1.2 times per 90 minutes. In the current campaign, Son’s numbers have dipped slightly but remain competitive. He has four goals and four assists in the league, averaging 1.9 shots, 2.1 key passes, and 1.4 dribbles per game. Interestingly, he has been dispossessed only 0.8 times per 90 minutes this season.
While his goal contributions per game have decreased — from one every 109.1 minutes last season to one every 117.75 minutes this season — this decline is marginal. These figures suggest that while Son’s output has dipped, it is not catastrophic, and he is still capable of delivering at a high level.
The Bigger Picture for Tottenham
Son’s form is symptomatic of Tottenham’s broader issues. The team’s defensive frailties, inconsistent midfield performances, and a lack of cohesion have compounded their problems. While Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy showed promise early in his tenure, Spurs’ inability to maintain consistency is derailing their season. The onus isn’t solely on Son — it’s a collective failure that needs addressing.
Is It Too Early to Write Off Son?
While Jamie O’Hara’s concerns about Son’s sharpness and pace are valid observations, declaring him “finished” might be premature. The South Korean international remains a talented and experienced player who can still influence games. With better support and a resurgence in team form, Son could yet rediscover the form that made him one of the Premier League’s standout performers in recent years.
For Tottenham, the focus must be on finding a way to reignite their season before it slips away completely. If they can resolve their issues, there’s still a chance for Son to prove his doubters wrong and for Postecoglou to deliver on his promise of silverware.
