Tottenham Hotspur Grapples with Slump Following Son Heung-min’s Departure
Tottenham Hotspur is navigating a challenging period, marked by consecutive defeats and a noticeable void left by former star Son Heung-min, who now plays for LAFC. The club’s recent 1-2 loss to Fulham on November 30th, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium underscores a troubling trend for the North London side. Fulham’s Kenny Tete opened the scoring in the 4th minute, quickly followed by a goal from Harry Wilson just three minutes later, after a challenge from Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Mohamed Kudus managed to pull one back for Tottenham in the 54th minute, but it proved insufficient to alter the outcome.
This defeat marks Tottenham’s third straight loss this week, following a decisive 1-4 defeat against Arsenal on November 24th and a 3-5 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on November 27th. Despite a promising start under new manager Thomas Frank, which included a victory over Manchester City, Tottenham has experienced a significant downturn, securing only one win, one draw, and five losses in their last seven competitive matches. As a result, the team has slipped to 10th place in the Premier League standings with a record of 5 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses, totaling 18 points.
A key area of concern for Tottenham is the performance of Xabi Simmons, who inherited Son Heung-min’s iconic number 7 jersey. Despite arriving from Leipzig (Germany) last summer for a substantial transfer fee of £51.8 million (₩97.2 billion), Simmons has yet to find the back of the net this season, failing to live up to expectations.
The absence of Son Heung-min is keenly felt by Tottenham supporters, with many expressing their longing for the club legend. There is growing speculation that Son Heung-min’s scheduled visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December, coinciding with the Tottenham-Liverpool match on December 21st, may be a bittersweet occasion, as he witnesses his former team’s struggles. While unable to return as a player due to off-season restrictions, Son Heung-min will have the opportunity to bid farewell to the fans in person.
Son Heung-min’s recent performance with LAFC, where he scored two goals in the MLS playoff quarterfinal against the Vancouver Whitecaps on November 23rd, only to see his team eliminated in a penalty shootout, highlights his continued quality. He has since returned to Korea on November 27th to rest and prepare for the upcoming season. His departure from Tottenham last summer, after a decade with the club, left fans without a proper opportunity to say goodbye, with his final appearance in a Tottenham uniform being a pre-season game in Seoul on August 3rd.
“I couldn’t say goodbye because the last game (for Tottenham) was played in Korea,” Son Heung-min recently shared on YouTube’s Shoot for Love. “Of course, I think I should go back to London and say goodbye in front of them in person. I think it’s right for the fans to see me in person at the stadium and say goodbye. I think it will be a very special day emotionally.” Tottenham is reportedly planning a halftime event to honor Son Heung-min, a player who led the club to a Europa League title during his tenure and is now the subject of calls for a commemorative statue.
However, Son Heung-min’s departure has had a significant impact beyond on-field performance. Reports indicate a substantial financial blow to the club. According to Japanese media outlet Soccer Digest Web, sales at Tottenham’s official store have plummeted by half since Son Heung-min’s exit. British Football Insider claims a revenue loss of £60 million (₩114 billion) following his transfer. The club has also been forced to lower ticket prices due to increasing numbers of empty seats at its home stadium. Furthermore, AIA, a major sponsor, has decided not to renew its uniform sponsorship contract. Tottenham is reportedly exploring the possibility of a friendly match between Tottenham and LAFC in Korea next summer.
