Tottenham Hotspur&#8217;s chief creator James Maddison (£7.9m) could be out injured until the new year &#8211; but how will his absence affect the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) prospects of Son Heung-min (£9.7m)?
Son is in just over 40% of FPL teams, making him the sixth most popular player in the game.
Scoring eight times, he is the Premier League&#8217;s third highest scorer and has grown in popularity since his hat-trick against Burnley in Gameweek 4.
But how will he and Spurs cope with Maddison, who is out long-term alongside defender Mickey Van de Ven (£4.6m)?
We analyse the <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta">Hub Opta stats</a> to assess whether Son could be a transfer out waiting to happen, or whether it&#8217;s worth keeping hold of him.

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<h2>How important is Maddison to Spurs? </h2>
Maddison was forced off with an ankle injury halfway through Spurs&#8217; loss to Chelsea in FPL Gameweek 11.
Manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed ahead of Gameweek 12 that Maddison&#8217;s injury was &#8216;much worse&#8217; than initially expected and he would be out &#8216;probably until the new year&#8217;.
Losing their £40m summer signing was a big blow, given Maddison&#8217;s importance so far this season.
Not only has he been an integral figure for Spurs but he has been among the league&#8217;s most creative players.
He ranks third for key passes (31), joint-sixth for big chances created (six) and third for assists (six).
The England international has also completed 203 successful final-third passes (fourth), attempted eight through balls (fifth) and been Spurs&#8217; main man for set-pieces.
<div id="attachment_59425" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-59425" class="size-full wp-image-59425" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Maddison-stats-GW11.jpg" alt="James Maddison's FPL stats" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Maddison-stats-GW11.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Maddison-stats-GW11-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Maddison-stats-GW11-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Maddison-stats-GW11-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />James Maddison&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
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Postecoglou admitted during his press conference before Gameweek 12 that Maddison was irreplaceable. He said:
<blockquote>&#8220;We didn&#8217;t create a system for Madders. We had a system and Madders fit into that &#8211; he brought his own qualities to it.
&#8220;Whoever we bring in to replace him isn&#8217;t going to be the same player, he&#8217;ll bring different qualities to it, but it won&#8217;t change our overall structure or intent in the way we want to play.
&#8220;It&#8217;s just there&#8217;s going to be some variances because of the nature of a different player being in there.
&#8220;I&#8217;m just disappointed for Madders. He&#8217;s had an unbelievable start to the season, he&#8217;s probably been one of the best players in the competition and he was looking forward to striving for more.&#8221;</blockquote>
<h2>How did Spurs perform in FPL Gameweek 12?</h2>
Spurs lost 2-1 to Wolves in their first game without Maddison, conceding two late goals after Brennan Johnson (£5.8m) had given them an early lead.
Although a one-game sample is unlikely to provide an full picture of how Spurs will cope in the weeks ahead, the drop off in their <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a> was stark.
Before Gameweek 12, the Lilywhites had averaged 16.91 shots per game, racking up 1.68 expected goals (xG) and ranking third for successful final-third passes (132.5).
Only Liverpool had more shots on goal than Spurs up to Gameweek 11.
<div id="attachment_59604" style="width: 1292px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-59604" class="wp-image-59604 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Total-shots-GW1-11.jpg" alt="Spurs ranked second for total shots behind Liverpool between FPL Gameweek 1 and 11" width="1282" height="753" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Total-shots-GW1-11.jpg 1282w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Total-shots-GW1-11-300x176.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Total-shots-GW1-11-1024x601.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Total-shots-GW1-11-768x451.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Total-shots-GW1-11-610x358.jpg 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Total-shots-GW1-11-1080x634.jpg 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Total-shots-GW1-11-1280x753.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1282px) 100vw, 1282px" />Spurs ranked second for total shots behind Liverpool between Gameweek 1 and 11</div>
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Their shot volume dropped dramatically against Wolves, with just six shots on goal and 0.7 xG.
And there was also a reduction in their presence in the final third, where they completed 106 passes &#8211; 26 fewer than their season average.
There were a number of mitigating factors aside from losing Maddison though.
Spurs were short on numbers after losing regular first-teamers Cristian Romero (£5.0m) and Destiny Udogie (£4.8m) to suspension following their red cards against Chelsea.
Van de Ven&#8217;s injury meant almost an entirely new back four, while goalscorer Johnson had only 381 league minutes under his belt going into the game.
Lineup changes were touched on by Postecoglou, who also credited a strong Wolves performance in front of their own fans. He said:
<blockquote>&#8220;I felt we could have been a little bit more positive and a little bit more aggressive, particularly with the ball.
&#8220;I&#8217;ve got to temper that with the fact we made so many changes and we&#8217;re not going to get the same sort of fluency when particularly three of your back four are virtually starting for the first time and we&#8217;ve made a couple of changes further up&#8230;but I just felt we could&#8217;ve been a little bit more positive particularly in the first half.&#8221;</blockquote>
<div id="attachment_59605" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-59605" class="size-full wp-image-59605" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Postecoglu.jpg" alt="Ange Postecoglu. Picture by Getty Images" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Postecoglu.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Postecoglu-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Postecoglu-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Postecoglu-610x407.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Ange Postecoglou. Picture by Getty Images</div>
<h2>Will Son struggle without Maddison?</h2>
Son had one shot &#8211; outside the box &#8211; against Wolves, registering 0.12 xG.
Up to Gameweek 11, he averaged 2.73 shots per game and 0.4 xG, significantly outperforming his expected data by posting 0.73 goals per game.
He cut an isolated figure, well demonstrated by <a href="https://twitter.com/BetweenThePosts/status/1723357962977054839/photo/1">Between The Posts&#8217; passmap</a> on their Twitter page.
<div id="attachment_59608" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-59608" class="size-full wp-image-59608" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Son-heatmaps.jpg" alt="Son Heung-min's heatmaps" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Son-heatmaps.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Son-heatmaps-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Son-heatmaps-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Son-heatmaps-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Son Heung-min&#8217;s heatmaps</div>
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In Maddison&#8217;s absence, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£5.2m) completed the most passes in the final third (15), some way behind Maddison&#8217;s average of 23.27.
The only big chance was created by full-back Pedro Porro (£5.2m), who assisted Johnson&#8217;s goal.
Postecoglou&#8217;s system aims to put Spurs on the front foot, with attacking football a key part of his philosophy.
But plugging the gap left by Maddison will be difficult, particularly in terms of passing in the final third.
In lacking a direct attacking central midfield replacement for Maddison, Postecoglou may have to rely more on his wide forwards to create opportunities.
Pape Sarr (£4.6m) was the most advanced central midfielder against Wolves, although his <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a> show he wasn&#8217;t a source of chance creation.
Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski (£7.0m) will be hugely important, with the latter sitting second for key passes among the Spurs squad (24).
<div id="attachment_59614" style="width: 1292px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-59614" class="size-full wp-image-59614" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spurs-key-passes.jpg" alt="Spurs' key passes" width="1282" height="753" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spurs-key-passes.jpg 1282w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spurs-key-passes-300x176.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spurs-key-passes-1024x601.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spurs-key-passes-768x451.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spurs-key-passes-610x358.jpg 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spurs-key-passes-1080x634.jpg 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spurs-key-passes-1280x753.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1282px) 100vw, 1282px" />Spurs&#8217; key passes</div>
<h2>Should Son be sold in FPL?</h2>
It is early days and selling Son in Gameweek 13 is perhaps a little too soon.
FPL managers would benefit from more time and data before being able to reach a reliable conclusion on whether his output will change significantly.
The fact remains he is an FPL midfielder playing centre-forward in an attack-minded team, with the possibility of penalties.
He also leads the way for predicted points among midfielders over the next five gameweeks, according to Hub AI.
And while Manchester City in Gameweek 14 is a difficult fixture, it is the type of game which Son has previously thrived in, given the tougher matches tend to be more open, giving him space to run in behind the opposition defence.
His form in the next few matches will be keenly watched &#8211; and if he struggles, there are no shortage of midfield options waiting in the wings.
<h3>International break injury concern</h3>
Son suffered a knock to his knee in South Korea&#8217;s win over Singapore on Thursday (November 16), a game in which he scored.
He finished the game and was quoted in the media afterwards saying he was &#8216;fine&#8217;, although he appeared to admit he was playing through pain:
<blockquote>&#8220;We are making a team for the World Cup &#8211; I can’t give up a game just because I feel pain. If I can’t run anymore, then I can’t do anything about it but when I can run, I have to give 100 per cent for the team.
&#8220;I am fine now. I don’t like to lie down [on the pitch] in the winter. At that moment I couldn’t feel anything on my foot. I’m fine, no injury.&#8221;</blockquote>
Son owners will get the benefit of a <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/premier-league-predicted-lineups">Postecoglou press conference</a> later this week, when any lingering fitness doubts will be addressed.
<div id="attachment_59606" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-59606" class="size-full wp-image-59606" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Son-stats-GW12.jpg" alt="Son Heung-min's stats" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Son-stats-GW12.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Son-stats-GW12-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Son-stats-GW12-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Son-stats-GW12-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Son Heung-min&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
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