Tottenham Faces Critical Challenges in Premier League 2025-26 Season
Tottenham Hotspur, a prominent team in the English Premier League, is facing severe challenges this 2025-26 season. Following Son Heung-min's transfer to Major League Soccer’s (MLS) LAFC last summer—a player who was the emblem and core of the team—Tottenham has seen a drastic decline, much to the disappointment of fans. Currently plummeting to the 14th position in the league, the situation reveals fundamental issues within the team.
Since mid-December, Tottenham has managed only one win in the last eight league games, enduring a "worst run" with five consecutive matches without a victory (two draws, three losses) across all competitions, showing no signs of improvement. Positioned precariously at 14th in the Premier League as of the 22nd round, the team is only two points above the relegation zone. This situation is exacerbated by early eliminations from both the FA Cup and League Cup, leaving no realistic chances of a trophy this season. Such outcomes have intensified doubts about the tactical capabilities of the newly appointed head coach, Thomas Frank.
Upon inspecting the tactical angle, it appears that Thomas Frank, previously lauded for his adaptable tactics at Brentford last season, is struggling to demonstrate his skills effectively at Tottenham. With half of the season gone, the team has yet to establish a clear attacking route and, aside from defense, has not delivered satisfying performances. Particularly in the recent league match against West Ham United, Frank’s substitution of a forward for a defender after conceding an equalizer was perceived as a passive tactic, leading to a last-minute defeat, further fueling fan frustration and calls for his dismissal. Reportedly, Tottenham’s management had an intense discussion regarding the possibility of sacking Frank after the West Ham game.
Son Heung-min's departure has significantly impacted Tottenham’s overall performance and team morale. The void left in the left-wing forward position has not been adequately filled by his successors like Mathys Tel, Brennan Johnson, and Wilson Odobert, resulting in an exacerbated lack of scoring. In contrast, Son is impressively showcasing his world-class abilities at LAFC with 12 goals and 3 assists in 13 matches.
Off the field, the 'leadership void' also explains Tottenham's current crisis. Son, who captained the team for two seasons starting from 2023-24 and led them to a UEFA Europa League victory last season, was exemplary among his peers, emphasizing "servant leadership" and a "lead by example" style. His absence has reportedly led to unrestrained emotional clashes and failures to manage anger among players. A post-match altercation with opposing players after the Aston Villa match is a stark testament to how crucial Son’s leadership was.
This chaos extends to a dissipation of fan enthusiasm—since Son's departure, the atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has notably subdued. Despite a 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, the stands remained sparse, marking a continued failure to sell out Champions League home games for three consecutive matches. This problem is attributed to high ticket prices and underwhelming performances. Notably, even when Son visited Tottenham in December, there was low attendance, signifying serious fan disengagement attributed to his absence.
Reports indicate Tottenham is preparing a £25 million (approximately 49.4 billion KRW) offer for West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville to fill Son's void. However, it seems unlikely that one player could easily cover the massive gap left by Son. It is crucial for Frank to adjust his tactics, reenergize the squad's mindset, and the club itself must strive to regain lost fan support. While the team currently ranks fifth in the Champions League phase showing some positive outcomes, the league crisis casts a shadow over the team's future.
Tottenham now battles a complex crisis—tactical confusion, leadership void, and resulting fan disengagement. At the heart of these issues lies Son Heung-min's departure, which significantly influenced the current predicament. How Tottenham and Coach Thomas Frank choose to navigate and resolve these challenges remains closely watched.
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