Tottenham Hotspur have been fortunate to boast plenty of top attacking talent over the past couple of years, often providing fans with moments they will cherish forever.
Heung-min Son is just one player who falls into such a category, with the South Korean striker a talent who has often managed to produce the goods in the final third.
The winger has scored a total of 173 goals for the Lilywhites, a tally which places him fourth in the club’s record books, with an impressive haul coming against local rivals Arsenal.
He scored nine times in his 22 appearances against the Gunners, the third most of any team he faced in his career, further highlighting his impact in the North London Derby.
However, despite his impact for Spurs, he was unable to improve on a player who often proved to be a thorn in the side of the club in meetings against them.
Bukayo Saka’s form against Spurs
Following his breakthrough 2020, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka faced Spurs ten times, subsequently finding himself on the winning side in 60% of outings.
The Englishman scored five times against the Lilywhites, averaging a goal every two games and often appearing and finding the net in key moments of derby encounters.
He may not have scored in any of last season’s clashes, but he recorded the assist for Gabriel’s winner in the second half, with Mikel Arteta’s side once again claiming bragging rights.
Saka has now scored at least 25 combined goals and assists in each of his last three seasons, further highlighting the high-level talent he possesses, all despite being only 24 years old.
Given the levels he has produced, there is no denying that the Lilywhites faithful would wish they had a player of his caliber, but it is safe to say that stars like the winger would now cost a pretty penny.
However, boss Thomas Frank should not worry, with the Dane already having his own version of the Englishman in his ranks at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Spurs star who is Frank’s own Saka
Spurs’ 2024/25 campaign has been topsy-turvy to say the least, with huge heights reached while failing to deliver on promise in other competitions under Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian ended his 17-year wait for a trophy with his Europa League triumph, but ultimately overlooked the cracks that had appeared in the Premier League.
He was only able to finish 17th in England’s top flight, subsequently suffering 22 defeats in the process, which would cost him his job in north London.
Frank was appointed manager to pick up the pieces, a task he immediately accomplished without issue, as evidenced by his tally of just one defeat in his first nine competitive outings.
Despite adding Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons to his ranks in the summer, he already had his answer to Saka in his ranks in north London.
Dejan Kulusevski is one player who has yet to feature under the Dane due to injury, but it is clear that the striker will have a huge role to play when he returns in the coming months.
The Swede, who has been dubbed ‘phenomenal’ by one creator, is currently sidelined with a knee injury but has managed to play regularly in 2024/25 before going under the knife to resolve the recurring problem.
He registered 10 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last campaign, finishing the year as one of the Lilywhites’ most creative outlets in the attacking areas.
Such is the level of his performances last year that he was dubbed a similar player to Saka by FBref, further highlighting how impressive he was under Postecoglou.
Comparing their respective numbers, Kulusevski managed to outperform the Arsenal star in various key areas, demonstrating the enormous quality he possesses.
The table highlights the depth of areas in which he has managed to outclass Saka, with his return to fitness no doubt a huge boost to Frank and Spurs’ fan base.
|
Kulusevski V SAKA – PL STATISTICS (2024/25) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
In the Sepci |
Of |
|
Games played |
32 |
25 |
|
Goals and assists |
11 |
16 |
|
Target shooting accuracy |
36% |
32% |
|
Goals per shot on target |
0.4 |
0.2 |
|
Passes into the final third |
2.3 |
0.7 |
|
Passes into the opposition area |
2.1 |
1.9 |
|
Continues into the final third |
2.5 |
1.6 |
|
Jumps won |
40% |
33% |
|
Statistics via FBref |
||
It is unclear what level of fitness he will possess after such a long injury absence, but when he is fully operational the Swede will add another dimension to the club’s powerful front line.
If he can replicate or improve on his numbers from last year, there’s no reason the striker can’t help Frank make his first season in north London one to remember.
