In the same summer that Harry Kane was walking around a golf course with Gary Neville, telling the world he wanted to leave Tottenham, Son Heung-min was quietly telling the club he would commit to them his peak years.
What followed, on the back of a new five-year contract, was the South Korean’s best season in a white shirt.
His reward for 24 goals was a Premier League Golden Boot. That is why his impending exit will be mourned far more than the departure of Kane two years ago.
Kane, like Son, is an infinitely likeable character, but when a player agitates for a move, bridges can sway, if not burn. Son’s bond with Tottenham’s fanbase has always been watertight.
Indeed, the only liquid spilt has been the tears that have flowed in the 24 hours since news broke that he is set to play his final game for the club this weekend, here in his native South Korea.
And it was Son himself who opened the emotional floodgates when he sat down in Seoul to confirm his wish to go, with Los Angeles FC the destination.
We are used to seeing the forward stop, wait and go again, usually with a posse of helpless defenders in his wake.
We will never forget his 80-yard dash and dribble to score against Burnley in 2019. This time, there was no such control. On more than one occasion he had to stop and gather his composure, so overcome was he by the message he was relaying.
Before we start,’ he said. ‘I just want to share the information that I have decided to leave this club this summer.
‘Respectfully, this club is helping me to make my decision. I just want to share this before we start.’
He called it the start, but the only subject entertained in the business-room forum of the skyscraper that doubled as a media suite was, naturally, the end.
The end of a decade in north London — 454 games and 173 goals. And, belatedly, a first trophy in May.
That Son only arrived in the Europa League final victory over Manchester United as a second-half substitute speaks to part of the reason for his decision to move on — he knows the time is right.
So, too, do supporters, the club and new boss Thomas Frank. At 33, there is no shame in that. He has given them his best years, as he promised. But when he stops now, he doesn’t get going as quickly as he once did.
