Why Tottenham’s Thomas Frank Feels the Sting of Son Heung-min’s Absence

The Impact of Son Heung-min's Absence

Tottenham Hotspur under Thomas Frank has visibly felt the absence of Son Heung-min since the star forward's departure. Son, who was pivotal in Spurs' attacking setups for years, left a void that has been hard to fill, especially with Harry Kane also sidelined. The current squad, led by Thomas Frank, has struggled to replicate the sharp offensive edge that Son brought, reflected in their recent results and scoring droughts. Frank himself acknowledged the gap that both Son and Kane have left, noting the current players' inconsistent form and the challenge of building a cohesive attacking unit in their absence.

Struggles in Recent Matches

After a promising start under Frank, Tottenham's form has dipped. Despite early wins, recent fixtures have shown Tottenham struggling to find the net regularly. In their UEFA Champions League group stage match against AS Monaco, Tottenham failed to score, managing only two shots on target compared to Monaco's eight. Richarlison, who is currently Tottenham's joint top scorer with just three goals, has yet to find his rhythm since a strong start in the Premier League opener. Other forwards such as Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons, and Mohamed Kudus have shown flashes of promise but lack the consistency needed to fill Son and Kane's shoes.

Injuries and Squad Depth Challenges

Tottenham's offensive woes are compounded by injuries to key players like Domanic Solanke, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski, who were expected to contribute significantly. This has left Thomas Frank with limited attacking options, and some midfielders like Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur bearing more defensive responsibility, which further impacts the team's attacking fluidity. Despite this, Kudus has been a bright spot, attempting to compensate for the absence of the team's traditional goal scorers with creative play and effort.

Fan and Community Reaction

The Tottenham fan community has expressed concern over the team's attacking deficiencies, with many highlighting how much they miss Son Heung-min's presence on the field. In forums and social media, discussions often revolve around the hope for improved synergy among the younger attackers and whether Tottenham can attract new talent to restore their offensive strength. Fans also appreciate Frank's tactical knowledge but hope for reinforcements and recovery of injured stars. The cultural context here shows how Son was not only a goal scorer but a symbol of Tottenham's attacking identity, making this transition period a tough one for supporters.