Tottenham Hotspur’s recent victory over Southampton has injected a renewed sense of optimism into the club. However, amidst the positive atmosphere, the need for long-term planning remains crucial, particularly concerning the eventual replacement of Son Heung-min. While Son has been a stalwart for the club for nearly a decade, his age suggests that Tottenham must begin considering potential successors to maintain their competitive edge.
Son Heung-min’s impact on English football, and Tottenham specifically, has been undeniable. Over his nine-year tenure, he has established himself as a club legend, and many would argue his status as a Premier League great. His statistics speak for themselves: in 316 appearances in the competition, he has amassed 125 goals and 68 assists, averaging a goal involvement every 1.63 games. This remarkable consistency and contribution to the team’s attacking output have made him an indispensable figure at Tottenham.
Despite his past achievements and continued flashes of brilliance, the reality of time catches up with every player. At 32 years old, Son’s ability to consistently influence games from the wing is naturally diminishing. Research conducted by The Athletic has indicated that wide players generally reach their peak performance levels around the age of 26. This data suggests that while Son is still capable of producing moments of magic, relying on him to perform at his peak week after week is no longer a sustainable long-term strategy.
This season has further highlighted this point, with Son’s influence on matches becoming less consistent. He has faded out of games more frequently than in previous seasons, underscoring the need for Tottenham to find a long-term solution on the wing as Postecoglou aims to build a team capable of challenging for titles in the coming years.
As the table demonstrates, the two players exhibit remarkable similarities across a range of key performance indicators. This statistical convergence strengthens the argument that Cherki could potentially replicate some of Palmer’s qualities at Tottenham.
Beyond the statistical comparison to Palmer, Cherki’s own performances this season further enhance his credentials as a potential Son replacement. In 17 appearances, the young Lyon star has scored five goals and provided seven assists, averaging a goal involvement every 1.41 games. This impressive output showcases his attacking prowess and ability to contribute both goals and assists, a crucial trait for a wide player in the modern game.
Furthermore, respected football analyst Ben Mattinson has described Cherki as having “Ballon d’Or potential,” a significant endorsement of his talent and future prospects. This high praise from a respected figure in the football analysis community adds further weight to the argument that Cherki could become a truly special player.
Replacing a player of Son Heung-min’s caliber is a daunting task. Tottenham will need to acquire a player with exceptional talent to replicate the South Korean’s output over the years. While signing Cherki would represent a degree of risk, given his relative youth and lack of experience in the Premier League, he possesses the raw talent and potential to become the player Tottenham needs.
His statistical similarities to Cole Palmer, combined with his own impressive performances and the high praise he has received from analysts, make him a compelling candidate to fill the void that will eventually be left by Son. The relatively low potential transfer fee also makes him a financially viable option for the club. Therefore, while it remains to be seen whether Tottenham will ultimately pursue Cherki, he certainly appears to be a player with the potential to become a significant asset for the club and a worthy successor to Son Heung-min.
