Tottenham Hotspur have been fortunate sufficient to have quite a few top-level attacking skills on their palms over the past couple of years – usually handing the supporters moments to cherish ceaselessly.
Heung-min Son is only one participant who falls into such a class, with the South Korean ahead a expertise who usually managed to supply the products throughout the last third.
The winger scored a complete of 173 objectives for the Lilywhites, a tally which places him fourth within the membership’s file books, with a powerful chunk coming in opposition to native rivals, Arsenal.
He scored 9 instances in his 22 appearances in opposition to the Gunners, the third most of any facet he’s confronted in his profession – additional highlighting his affect within the North London Derby.
Nonetheless, regardless of his affect for Spurs, he was unable to higher one participant who has usually proved to be a thorn within the facet of the membership within the conferences in opposition to them.
Bukayo Saka’s kind in opposition to Spurs
After his breakthrough in 2020, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has featured in opposition to Spurs on ten separate events, subsequently being on the successful facet in 60% of the outings.
The Englishman has scored 5 instances in opposition to the Lilywhites, averaging a purpose each different sport and infrequently popping up and discovering the online in key moments of derby encounters.
He might not have scored in any of the clashes final season, however he did register the help for Gabriel’s second-half winner, with Mikel Arteta’s facet as soon as once more claiming bragging rights.
Saka has now registered 25 or extra mixed objectives and assists in every of his final three seasons, additional highlighting the top-level expertise he possesses, all regardless of being simply 24 years of age.
Given the degrees he’s produced, there’s no denying the Lilywhites devoted should want they’d a participant of his calibre, however it’s secure to say stars such because the winger would now price a reasonably penny.
Nonetheless, boss Thomas Frank shouldn’t fear, with the Dane already having his very personal model of the Englishman inside his ranks on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Spurs star who’s Frank’s personal Saka
Spurs’ 2024/25 marketing campaign was a topsy-turvy one to say the least, with enormous highs being achieved all while failing to ship in different competitions underneath Ange Postecoglou.
The Aussie ended their 17-year look forward to a trophy with their Europa League triumph, however in the end, it glossed over the cracks that appeared within the Premier League.
He may solely obtain a Seventeenth-placed end in England’s top-flight, subsequently struggling 22 defeats within the course of – one thing which might price him his job in North London.
Frank was appointed because the supervisor to select up the items, a activity he’s seamlessly taken to instantly, as seen by his tally of only one loss in his opening 9 aggressive outings.
Whereas he’s added the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons to his ranks this summer season, he already had his reply to Saka inside his ranks in North London.
Dejan Kulusevski is a participant who’s but to characteristic underneath the Dane attributable to harm, however there’s no denying that the attacker may have an enormous position to play upon his return within the months forward.
The Swede, who has been dubbed “phenomenal” by one creator, is at present sidelined with a knee harm, however did handle to star on a constant foundation in 2024/25 earlier than he went underneath the knife to repair the recurring subject.
He registered 10 objectives and 11 assists throughout all competitions final marketing campaign, ending the yr as one of many Lilywhites’ most artistic shops inside attacking areas.
Such is the extent of his performances final yr, he was dubbed as the same participant to Saka by FBref, additional highlighting how spectacular he was underneath Postecoglou.
When evaluating their respective figures, Kulusevski managed to outperform the Arsenal star in varied key areas, showcasing the massive quantity of high quality he possesses.
The desk highlights the depth of areas he managed to outclass Saka, together with his return to health undoubtedly an enormous enhance to Frank and the Spurs fanbase.
Kulusevski v Saka – PL stats (2024/25) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | Kulusevski | Saka |
Video games performed | 32 | 25 |
Targets & assists | 11 | 16 |
Shot on the right track accuracy | 36% | 32% |
Targets per shot on the right track | 0.4 | 0.2 |
Passes into last third | 2.3 | 0.7 |
Passes into opposition field | 2.1 | 1.9 |
Carries into last third | 2.5 | 1.6 |
Aerials received | 40% | 33% |
Stats by way of FBref | ||
It’s unclear what degree of health he’ll possess after such a protracted harm layoff, however when he will get totally firing, the Swede will add one other dimension to the membership’s potent frontline.
If he can replicate or higher his numbers from final yr, there’s no motive as to why the ahead can’t assist Frank make his first season in North London one to recollect.
