Son Heung-Min is currently getting ready to play in the MLS playoffs — LAFC are preparing to play Vancouver in the conference semifinals on November 22. The MLS Cup final is December 5, after which Sonny
will get a deserved break, and possibly longer if LAFC gets knocked out before that point.
But the World Cup is coming up this summer, and there’s been a lot of idle chatter that Son might opt to stay in playing shape during the MLS hiatus by signing with another team on a short term contract. There were even rumors, spoken in hushed tones, that Sonny could come back to Tottenham for a few months this winter!
Yeah. Not happening. While Sonny has said that he wants to go back to London and attend a Tottenham match after the MLS season so he can give a proper goodbye and thank you to Spurs fans, he told South Korean outlet Chosun today that he has no plans to sign a short term contract with Spurs or any other club during the hiatus.
“Many people are curious. The rumors themselves are uncomfortable. Fans must also be confused. My belief and mindset have always been that giving my all to the team I am playing for is most important. The rumors are not true. I have never once discussed moving to another team during the winter. The mere mention of such talks could be disrespectful to LAFC. I can confirm it is not true.
“I am focusing on recharging during the winter and preparing for the World Cup. I want to create the best possible condition to prepare for the World Cup. I hope such rumors do not resurface. I respect and cherish the LAFC club.”
Chosun reports that even some of his Korea teammates thought he’d sign a short term contract somewhere, but the rumors never really made sense, especially for Tottenham. While it’s fun to think about Sonny coming back to Spurs for a little while, Tottenham have already moved on and have structured the team around his absence. While some fans would point to Gareth Bale’s return a few years ago, the situation feels different this time around — a short term loan doesn’t do much to help Spurs. I had wondered if he might land at a smaller club somewhere in, say, Italy or France, but I also respect his decision to stick with LAFC.
So let’s put those rumors out of our minds. Sonny’s gone. He’s not coming back, at least not to the playing squad. I miss him too, but it’s okay — you can’t go home again.
