Frank keen to keep versatile Son amid LAFC links

Thomas Frank is keen to keep Son Heung-min at Tottenham Hotspur and make use of his versatility, as the forward continues to be linked with a move to MLS.

Los Angeles FC have been touted as potential suitors for the 33-year-old, whose contract with Spurs will expire at the end of 2025-26.

Son has been with Tottenham for 10 years and is second in their all-time scoring charts in the Premier League, with only Harry Kane (213) bettering his 127 goals in the competition.

However, 2024-25 was his least productive campaign since his debut season with Tottenham in 2015-16, when he scored eight goals in all competitions.

Son scored 11 goals in 46 matches last term as Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League, and while he did end the season with a Europa League final victory over Manchester United, he featured for just 23 minutes off the bench after struggling with an injury throughout the closing months of the campaign.

The signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham has added further depth to Tottenham's attacking options, causing Son's future to be questioned.

But speaking at a press conference ahead of Thursday's friendly against Arsenal in Hong Kong, Frank refused to entertain those rumours.

"Right now, Son is here. I'm very happy about that," Frank said. "He is training well. I said in the last press conference that he is a great character. 

"He played the last two friendlies; he is in the squad and will train today, so what I'm focusing on is that he is a Tottenham player."

Frank believes Son's ability to play through the middle or off the left flank gives him an advantage over some of Tottenham's other attackers as they battle for minutes. Last season, Son played 82% of his minutes on the left, compared to 18% through the centre.

The former Brentford boss said: "I think, first and foremost, it is important that we have some depth in the squad. 

"But for example, I see Richarlison more as a striker who can also play to the side. Sonny, we know he can play both positions. 

"Mathys Tel can also play as a winger and as a striker. You need different skill sets. The perfect player is hard to find. You need players who can run in behind, players that can go one-versus-one, players that can hopefully score goals and players that can press."

Since Son joined Spurs in August 2015, he has played more times for the club in all competitions than any other player (454 appearances). 

He has also made the most starts for the club (366) in that time, while only Kane (297) has registered more goal involvements for Spurs in that time than Son (269).

"I think everyone knows Son has been one of the best players at Tottenham in the last 10 years. I think he has been hugely successful from the left wing," Frank added.

"I also think he had some fantastic games down the middle as a number nine. So it is important that we have flexible players that can play in multiple positions, and it is about having your best players on the pitch and available. 

"The thing about Sonny is that he will always score goals, so it is just about getting him in those situations."