Son Heung-min captains Spurs through season of righting the ship [REWIND 2023]

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min is pictured after a match against Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Nov. 6. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

With the departure of both Harry Kane and the exile of Hugo Lloris, Son Heung-min was named the new Tottenham Hotspur captain ahead of the 2023/24 season under new manager Ange Postecoglou.

As well as the shiny title, Son’s new rank came with some serious hard work.

Postecoglou and Son are working to breathe life back into a club that has failed to win any serious silverware for more than half a century, revamping the playing style and tactics for a team that has for so long heavily relied on Kane’s right foot.

But Son proved more than up to the challenge. Partnering with James Maddison in the middle, Son led a dynamic Spurs squad that quickly rose to the top of the table in the early days of the season. Some crucial injuries — including to Maddison — interrupted that run, but Spurs continue to hold their own as the season rolls on.

Son himself has already had a fantastic season, passing double-digit goal numbers before the end of the year. His work as captain has also been highly praised, and he clearly has the entire squad behind him on the pitch.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]