£22m Tottenham star proves Thomas Frank is right to listen to offers after his cameo vs Reading

Thomas Frank’s debut as Tottenham Hotspur manager ended with a 2-0 victory over Reading, thanks to goals from Will Lankshear and Luka Vuskovic.

Despite the win, not every performance would have pleased the new boss, especially that of Son Heung-min. While the team walked away with a clean sheet and some promising flashes from young talent, the South Korean international delivered a concerning display that may justify Tottenham’s reported willingness to listen to offers for him this summer.

Son, now 33, had a frustrating outing during his pre-season cameo. His touches lacked sharpness, his decision-making seemed off, and he struggled to assert himself even against League One opposition.

Throughout the first 45 minutes, he failed to leave a meaningful impact and often looked out of sync with the rest of the side. This comes after a season where his consistency was already being questioned, leading to speculation that his peak years may be behind him.

The match statistics tell a clearer story of his struggles. Son lost possession 11 times, completed only 9 of 14 attempted passes, and failed to register a single successful dribble out of three attempts.

Even with a solitary shot, he couldn’t hit the target. For a player who once defined Tottenham’s attacking threat, such numbers are far from reassuring and only strengthen the argument that it may be time to move on.

Here is a breakdown of Son’s performance during the match:

Tottenham reportedly paid £22 million for Son, and while he has delivered years of top-tier service, the landscape is shifting under Thomas Frank. With emerging stars like Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert, and Mikey Moore pushing for game time on the left flank, Son’s role appears increasingly uncertain.

Frank has also shown interest in signing Yoane Wissa, a move that would further restrict Son’s minutes.

Interestingly, Frank has yet to confirm Tottenham’s captain for the upcoming season—a hint that Son’s leadership status may be in flux along with his place in the starting XI.

That ambiguity underscores the manager’s reluctance to commit to a player whose influence seems to be diminishing with each passing match.

In stark contrast to Son’s underwhelming display, teenage winger Mikey Moore lit up the first half with an energetic performance that earned him an 8/10 rating from TBR Football.

Having just returned to training earlier in the week, Moore started the match with confidence and a clear desire to make his mark. His ability to drive at defenders, combine smoothly with Destiny Udogie, and carry the ball with purpose highlighted why he is such an exciting prospect for the future.

His fearless approach and willingness to take on responsibility at such a young age didn’t go unnoticed by the coaching staff.

Moore’s impact against Reading suggests that he is ready to challenge for more minutes in the first team, and with another pre-season fixture against Luton Town on the horizon, he will have yet another opportunity to solidify his claim.

His form could ultimately play a significant role in determining whether Tottenham see Son as part of their long-term plans—or as a valuable asset to cash in on.

As Tottenham transition into a new era under Thomas Frank, performances like these may shape more than just the team sheet.

They might signal the beginning of a changing guard. And while Son’s legacy at the club remains intact, his future is now more uncertain than ever.