Heung-Min Son: Spurs Star’s Stats and Influence

Heung-Min Son continues to set the benchmark for modern wide forwards, blending blistering pace with ruthless finishing to keep Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League’s top four conversation. Below, we dive deep into his career numbers, seasonal breakdowns, and the tactical wrinkles that make him one of Europe’s most feared attackers.

Heung-Min Son’s 2023/24 Premier League Numbers

In the current campaign, the South Korean captain has adapted seamlessly to a central role following Harry Kane’s departure. After 30 league matches he has produced 17 goals and 8 assists, directly contributing to 47% of Spurs’ top-flight strikes. His expected goals (xG) sits at 15.2, illustrating a clinical edge that marginally outperforms underlying data.

Conversion Rates and Shot Maps

Son averages 2.7 shots per 90, hitting the target 44% of the time—one of the highest ratios among Premier League forwards. A heat map of his attempts shows a heavy concentration in the left half-space, yet eight of his goals have arrived from central channels, underscoring positional versatility.

Creative Output Beyond Goals

While finishing grabs headlines, Son’s playmaking often goes under-appreciated. His 0.27 expected assists per 90 place him inside the division’s top ten creators. Progressive carries (7.1 per game) and key passes (2.3) illustrate how he marries direct running with intelligent distribution.

Career Milestones Across Competitions

Premier League

• 275 appearances
• 121 goals
• 55 assists

Champions League

• 44 appearances
• 20 goals
• 6 assists

Domestic Cups & International Duty

Son boasts 13 goals in English cup competitions and 41 strikes for South Korea, leading his nation to Asian Games gold in 2018 and a World Cup Round-of-16 berth in 2022.

Evolution Under Different Managers

Mauricio Pochettino Era

Arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, Son initially served as a rotational option before Pochettino unlocked his potential by encouraging inverted runs from the left wing. His breakout 2016/17 season yielded 14 league goals.

Jose Mourinho’s Counter-Punch

Mourinho shifted Tottenham toward a counter-attacking blueprint, placing Son on the shoulder of the last defender. The result was a Golden Boot-challenging 2020/21 campaign with 17 goals and the division’s best shot conversion rate (29%).

Postecoglou’s High Line and Central Role

Ange Postecoglou’s front-foot system pushes Son closer to goal. Playing as a false nine or central striker, he presses aggressively (11.4 pressures per 90) and drops to link play, evidenced by a career-high pass-completion rate of 83%.

Comparison With Elite Peers

When benchmarked against Mohamed Salah, Marcus Rashford, and Bukayo Saka, Son ranks first for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.59) and second for goal-creating actions. His lower usage rate—39 touches per game—highlights outrageous efficiency.

Impact Off the Pitch

Commercially, Heung-Min Son is a global phenomenon. Spurs shirts bearing his name outsell all other players combined in Asian markets. Social media followings across Instagram and Weibo exceed 15 million, driving Tottenham’s brand expansion overseas.

Injury Record and Durability

Except for a fractured arm in 2020 and a facial fracture before the 2022 World Cup, Son has avoided long layoffs. He averages 43 appearances per season since arriving in North London, epitomising reliability.

What the Advanced Metrics Say

• Goals Added (Opta): +7.4
• Offensive Value Added (StatsBomb): 0.47 per 90
• Pressing Efficiency: 29% success rate, ranking top 5% among forwards

Future Outlook

With a contract until 2025 and rumours of interest from Bayern Munich, Tottenham are keen to extend their talisman. If the club secures Champions League qualification, expect negotiations to intensify before pre-season.

Conclusion

Heung-Min Son’s combination of goals, creativity, and marketability makes him indispensable to both Spurs and the broader Premier League narrative. At 31, he shows no signs of decline, and statistical trends suggest he could eclipse 150 league goals by 2026.

Opinion

Tottenham’s ability to transition seamlessly after Kane’s exit rests largely on Son’s shoulders. His evolution from winger to complete attacker proves that intelligent movement and two-footed finishing can mitigate the loss of a traditional No.9. If Spurs reinforce midfield supply lines, the South Korean star may yet author the club’s next chapter of silverware.