Latest news with #Son
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Revealed: The clause that has kept Son Heung-min at Tottenham this summer despite doubts over long-term future as South Korea pre-season tour looms
Son facing uncertain Spurs future Special clause keeping him at club South Korean pre-season tour nears Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? According to Telegraph Sport, Son's presence in Tottenham's pre-season game against Newcastle United in Seoul next month is very important to the north London club. If the forward is not part of Spurs' touring squad, they will miss out on as much as '75 per cent of their fee' for playing in the South Korean city - with that amount being halved if he travels but does not play in the game. THE BIGGER PICTURE Son looked like he could leave Tottenham this summer after their Europa League success, with the 33-year-old linked with a Major League Soccer switch. The report adds that barring a last-minute injury, Son is likely to travel to Asia and play in Seoul on August 3 to secure Spurs a big cash boost and not to let down his army of fans. Moreover, the key player clause means that it was 'virtually impossible' for Tottenham to consider selling the veteran before this pre-season tour. DID YOU KNOW? Son, whose Spurs contract runs until 2026, joined Tottenham in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen and has since scored 173 goals and added 101 assists in 454 appearances in all competitions. It remains to be seen if he will add to that next term. WHAT NEXT? Son played a big part in the club ending their 17-year wait for a trophy and the South Korean may add to his legacy with another season at the club. Manager Thomas Frank appears to want him to stay but whether he does is up in the air.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Tottenham weigh up rivalling Liverpool for Marc Guehi
Barring a last-minute injury, it is understood that Son will travel to Asia with Tottenham and play in Seoul so that the club do not let down tens of thousands of supporters and miss out on a huge portion of their fee. Sources believe the 'key player clause' meant that it was virtually impossible for Tottenham to even consider selling Son before the tour to Asia and the game in South Korea. And it is why there remains some doubt over Son's long-term future once Spurs return to the UK just over 10 days before their first Premier League game of the season against Burnley. Frank has been guarded over Son's long-term future, but did suggest he would not want to lose him on the eve of the new season. Asked if he would prefer to avoid a scenario similar to that of Harry Kane, who left the day before the first game of the 2023-24 season, Frank said: 'Yeah. First and foremost, here's here now. I'm not worried too much about it. Let's take that five or six weeks down the line.' Son left team-mates and staff under the impression he was ready to leave Tottenham at the end of last season after winning the Europa League with the club. There has been interest from Saudi Arabia and the United States, although there have since been suggestions he is happy to stay at Tottenham - at least until January. Asked about the future of Son last week, Frank said: 'Right now I have a player (Son) that is fully committed and training well. If a player has been at a club a long time, then there will always be a decision for the club to take, of course. And, of course, the head coach and the guys who are in charge and this case will be with Daniel (Levy) and Johan (Lange). If someone wants to leave at a certain stage, then there can be something there. But the club will always decide in the end.'
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Amid exit rumours, former Spurs and Dortmund defender Lee Young-pyo urges Son Heung-min to chase happiness
Former Borussia Dortmund defender Lee Young-pyo (left) believes that Spurs captain Son Heung-min (right) can still perform in the English Premier League. SINGAPORE – Former Tottenham and Dortmund left-back Lee Young-pyo has urged his compatriot Son Heung-min to follow his heart when deciding on his future, adding that the Spurs captain must be certain of regular playing time if he chooses to remain with the Europa League champions. The 33-year-old Son, who led them to Europa League glory last season – his first silverware in 10 years at the club – has less than 12 months left on his contract, with no indication that a new contract is imminent. With Spurs unlikely to let their club's marquee player leave for free, the uncertainty has led to exit rumours , with clubs in the Saudi Pro League reported to be keen. The 48-year-old Lee ,who made over 90 appearances for Spurs from 2005 to 2008, told The Straits Times in an interview: 'In my opinion the most important thing is the player's happiness. 'When it is the last chapter of a football career, a footballer needs to make sure that he is happy. And the most happiness is what you get from playing. If he wants to enjoy and be happy, then the most important thing is to know where he can get that playing time.' 'I think the most important thing is what Son feels in his heart. He is at an age where he would be planning for retirement. I hope that wherever he decides to play, he can end his career well.' New Spurs coach Thomas Frank – who replaced Ange Postecoglou in June – added to the uncertainty around Son's future during the former's official presentation on July 18. The Dane said that he is yet to decide whether Son will remain as captain, while also refusing to confirm if the player would stay beyond the end of the summer transfer window. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tampines regional centre set to get more homes, offices and public amenities Multimedia How to make the most out of small homes in Singapore Life US tech CEO Andy Byron resigns after viral Coldplay 'kiss cam' video Asia From toy to threat: 'Killer kites' bring chaos to Indonesian airspace Opinion I thought I was a 'chill' parent. Then came P1 registration Singapore 'God and government are the only things beyond our control,' says Group CEO Business Me and My Money: He overcomes a $100k setback to build a thriving online tuition business Asia At least 34 killed as tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam's Halong Bay Since joining Tottenham Hotspur from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, Son has delivered on countless occasions for Spurs but his form dipped in the past season, scoring just seven goals in 30 Premier League outings – his lowest single season tally since his first season in England. Lee believes that Son can still perform in the English Premier League and talked up his impact in England and Europe. He added that his compatriot has surpassed the legacy of former Manchester United midfielder and South Korea captain Park Ji-Sung, who is regarded by many as one of the greatest and most successful Asian players in history. After signing for the Red Devils in 2005, Park won four Premier League titles and became the first Asian player to play in a Champions League final, when the Red Devils lost to Barcelona on penalties in 2009. He left Old Trafford in 2012 before retiring from football two years later. 'Not many people ever thought that an Asian player can become the top scorer in the Premier League. He has helped to change the perception of Asian football and because of him more players have had chances to play in Europe,' said Lee of Son's golden-boot winning season in 2021–22, when he finished joint top scorer alongside Liverpool's Mohamed Salah with 23 goals. 'I believe he is one of the greatest inspirations and hopes for many Asian players. He has been a very good example. In our time, Park was the biggest, best Asian player and I believe now Son has that title.' Besides Spurs, Lee also had a spell at Dortmund from 2008 to 2009. His former side closed out the domestic season with an eight-match unbeaten run that included five straight wins to score the fourth and final Uefa Champions League place. Lee expects them to pick up where they left off in the new campaign under Niko Kovac, who was appointed in January after the sacking of former coach Nuri Sahin. Kovac has led the team to 15 victories in 25 matches and the Black and Yellow made a run to the quarter-finals of the recently concluded Club World Cup, where they were eliminated by Real Madrid. 'After the end of the last season, I think they can continue to carry forward the momentum. Overall, last season was not perfect but I think we can do better in the new one,' said Lee. While fans will need to wait till Aug 24 to catch Dortmund's Bundesliga opening fixture against FC St. Pauli, they can catch a host of former Dortmund players, including Lee, who will be in action during the July 25-27 Soccer7sSeries. The tournament will feature seven-a-side men's open, women's and over-35 masters categories at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Lee's team includes legends Roman Weidenfeller, Patrick Owomoyela, Kevin Grosskreutz, Dede, Mladen Petric, Jan Koller, Omer Toprak and Park Joo-ho. They are one of 10 teams in the Masters categories. In Group A are Leicester City Masters, Corinthians Masters, Persib Masters, Real Singapura FC, and Cosmo Masters while BVB are alongside the 'All Stars', Forest Reds (Nottingham Forest), Singapore FC Masters, and Singa Legends in Group B. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals. Lee is looking forward to the tournament and vowed to be competitive. He said: 'After retiring from playing, there are times when I miss playing football. I am excited to be back on the pitch with the players after a long time. I have not played football too many times since retiring but last few weeks I have been training so...I am ready to play.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Savannah Bananas: A family night at baseball heaven in St. Louis
For me, there's no place on earth quite like Busch Stadium. It's sacred ground. A cathedral of baseball. The place where generations of memories have been made. I've seen alot here since I was born in 1982. But on Friday, the game we know and love transformed into something else entirely, not a traditional nine-inning showdown, but a whirlwind of Banana Ball madness, joy, and showmanship, courtesy of the Savannah Bananas. I went with my wife and our 14-year-old son, and while I've seen some unforgettable games at Busch, this was something unique, and yes, still unforgettable. Pre-Game: The greatest show in sports begins before first pitch The moment we approached Ballpark Village, the energy hit like a wave. Never mind the fact it was approaching 100 degrees, with humidity rising by the minute. Crowds had been gathering since early afternoon. Some were dressed in full banana regalia, earrings, hats, stuffed banana headbands, and yellow from head to toe. We arrived about three hours before first pitch, and it already felt like a festival. Fans were tossing around beach balls, forming impromptu conga lines, and dancing to the beat of a live brass band. We had dinner at Salt n Smoke at Ball Park Village across the way. That was a request from the teen-ager, and when he wants anything other than chicken fingers and burgers, you do it! We wandered over to the merchandise tents, which were doing a roaring business. Even Party Animals merch was flying off the racks. The pre-game antics were just the beginning: the "Man-nanas" cheer squad, Dad Bod cheerleaders, and even a guy resembling Mr. T were working the crowd. As the sun began to drop behind the stadium lights, a brass rendition of 'I Wish I Was an Oscar Mayer Wiener' played from a barbershop quartet perched near the first baseline. I had to remind myself we were still technically at a baseball game, but the Bananas don't just play a sport, they stage a carnival. The game itself: A new kind of baseball Banana Ball isn't really baseball. It's a cousin, or maybe the fun-loving alter ego, of the game I grew up watching. The rules are wild: bunting gets you ejected. Fans catching foul balls? That's an out. Tie games get settled in one-on-one, showdown-style duels. And somehow, it all works. The Bananas were matched up against their chaos-loving rivals, the Party Animals, and from the first pitch, the game was pure theater. Music blared between pitches. Dancers burst out of dugouts. Pitchers performed backflips after strikeouts. But through all the antics, there was genuine talent on the field. Outfielder Reese Alexiades smashed a moonshot into the left-field bleachers. Shortstop Ryan Cox pulled off a no-look, behind-the-back assist on a grounder that had the crowd gasping. And then came Adam Wainwright. A hero returns to the mound Waino. The legend. The heart of the Cardinals for so many years. When his name was announced as the starting pitcher for the Bananas, Busch erupted. I felt chills. Here I was, standing with my wife and son, watching one of my all-time favorite players, a St. Louis icon, take the mound in a Savannah Bananas jersey. Of course, his walk-out song? God's Country. He pitched with his usual poise, even while a cheerleader did jumping jacks behind home plate. He allowed a base hit, but got the next guy to fly out to center, mixing that signature curveball with just a hint of showmanship. He smiled at the crowd, tipped his cap, and soaked it in. Wainwright dancing between pitches? Yes. And it was glorious. At one point, he even joined a conga line in the dugout between innings. Who knew the man could move like that? In-game antics & fan interaction Banana Ball thrives on interactivity. Fans in the stands caught foul balls for outs. The in-game entertainment never slowed. There was a baby race on the field. Yes, a literal baby race. Crawling babies are making their way to their parents on the other side of the diamond. It was both hilarious and oddly touching. There was also a hilarious sprint showdown between 'Clyde and Dale', two grown men who stopped midway to carry women piggyback across the infield to the finish line. Get it, "Clyde and Dale" for the Clydesdales. Every inning brought something new: synchronized dugout dances, juggling, karaoke battles, and mid-inning backflips. The crowd and the culture shift This wasn't just a show for kids. It was packed with baseball die-hards, families, first-timers, and old-school fans like me who, surprisingly, found themselves clapping along to 'Baby Shark.' The Bananas are changing baseball, one backflip and fan-caught out at a time. Jesse Cole - a man of the people No review of a Savannah Bananas game would be complete without a tribute to the man behind the madness: Jeese Cole, the team's exuberant founder, owner, and master showman. If Banana Ball is a circus, Jesse is both the ringmaster and the heart beating behind the scenes. On Friday night at Busch Stadium, he was more than a behind-the-scenes executive; he was the engine driving the experience forward, every second from pregame to final curtain. Decked out in his signature bright yellow tuxedo and top hat, Jesse Cole didn't merely observe the spectacle he created; he was in the thick of it. He worked the crowd like a seasoned performer, leaping onto dugouts, dancing with fans, tossing t-shirts, and narrating the energy of the night through a megaphone with all the charisma of a Broadway emcee. At one point before first pitch, Jesse climbed onto the first base dugout, leading the crowd in chants, pumping his fists, and launching shirts into the upper decks. You could tell he wasn't just doing it for show, he thrives on connection, and he understands that sports, at their best, are about joy and community. You could feel it every time he leaned into the microphone or locked eyes with a fan in the front row. What stood out most was how accessible he made himself. He wasn't hidden behind a glass box or suite. He was walking the concourse, laughing with fans, taking selfies, giving fist bumps to wide-eyed kids and grateful parents alike. During one inning break, I watched him lead a conga line of fans, kids, grandparents, even a guy in a banana suit, from right field to home plate, arms linked, music blasting, smiles all around. When a particularly well-executed trick play brought the crowd to its feet, Jesse didn't stay still. He sprinted toward the players, joining the celebration like a teammate, high-fiving them like a proud parent. That blend of executive energy and childlike joy is part of what makes the Bananas feel so alive. And maybe that's Jesse Cole's magic: he doesn't feel like an owner. He feels like the world's biggest fan who just happened to get the keys to the clubhouse and decided to throw a never-ending party for everyone else. In an era when pro sports often feel cold and corporate, Jeese Cole is a throwback to the showmen of old and a vision of something brand new. What he's built isn't just a team or even a league; it's a movement. And at Busch Stadium, in front of 44,000 fans and the ghosts of baseball legends, that movement was in full, glorious, ridiculous swing. They're back tonight – Saturday's encore The Bananas return to Busch Stadium again Saturday night (also a sellout). After Friday's chaos, I can only imagine what's in store. If you're reading this and wondering if it's worth going, it is. Final thoughts: A night to remember In a city where baseball is religion, the Savannah Bananas delivered something new, not a sacrilege, but a celebration. For a few hours, Busch Stadium was transformed from a major league park into a playground of joy, where Adam Wainwright danced, babies raced, and baseball's soul felt lighter. The Bananas didn't just win the game. They won us and 44,000 other fans over.
Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Thomas Frank refuses to put timeline on Tottenham's Premier League title quest
Spurs claimed Europa League success in May to end a 17-year wait for silverware, but Levy ruthlessly dismissed Ange Postecoglou after a difficult domestic campaign where the club finished one place above the relegation zone. Despite Tottenham's Premier League struggles after an injury-ravaged season, Levy made the bold claim last month that they 'need' to win the title. Frank said: 'I share his ambitions for the club. A club of this size should have that ambition. 'How far away we are is probably very difficult to say, but we should throw it forward and go for it. 'No doubt that needs to be the aim for the future. What are to odds for us winning the PL this season? 'I'm not allowed to gamble either, so I think we're probably not the favourites. Probably three teams at least ahead of us but we will do what we can to build a strong and competitive team.' Brave. Aggressive. Attack. Thomas lays down his principles 👊 — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 18, 2025 During a busy first press conference as Spurs boss, Frank regularly stated his desire to improve the robustness of the squad to ensure they can handle four competitions. There were also plenty of questions about the future of key duo Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero. Son achieved his own goal of winning silverware at Tottenham in May and there has been a suggestion if he wanted to leave the club would not stand in his way. But Frank, who refused to confirm if Son would remain captain, insisted: 'It's always tricky situations like that. 'If a player has been at a club a long time, then there will always be a decision for the club to take of course. 'And of course, the head coach and the guys who are in charge and this case will be with Daniel and Johan (Lange), because there is something in it if someone wants to leave at a certain stage, then there can be something there, but the club will always decide in the end.' Postecoglou's first summer at Spurs was overshadowed by Bayern Munich's protracted pursuit of Harry Kane, which eventually ended a day before the start of the season. Frank would not want a repeat, but added: 'First and foremost, he's (Son) here now. I'm not worried too much about it.'
