It’s been a season of seismic shifts and fresh starts in the world of football, with familiar faces making waves on new shores and in new roles. For fans of Tottenham Hotspur, the 2025 campaign marks the end of an era—one without either Son Heung-min or Harry Kane in the squad for the first time since 2010-11. As these icons chart their own courses, the ripple effects are being felt from North London to Los Angeles and even as far as Hungary, with another legend, Robbie Keane, making headlines in the dugout.
Son Heung-min, who joined Tottenham in August 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen, leaves behind a legacy few could have predicted. Arriving as a Bundesliga star, Son quickly became a Premier League sensation, racking up 127 goals in England’s top flight—good enough for joint-16th all-time, ahead of names like Nicolas Anelka, Steven Gerrard, Ian Wright, and Ryan Giggs. Over his decade-long Spurs career, Son not only dazzled fans with his explosive pace and clinical finishing but also helped the club end a 17-year trophy drought, lifting the Europa League in May 2025 after a tense final against Manchester United.
But as his contract expired in the summer, Son made the leap across the Atlantic, signing with Los Angeles FC. The move raised eyebrows, but for those who know Son—and there are few who know him better than Robbie Keane—the transition was never in doubt. "I’m not surprised with Son [doing well at LAFC], because I know him personally, I know him, he’s an unbelievable character," Keane told the MLS’ official YouTube channel on October 8, 2025. "He’s full of energy. Giroud is a different player, he needs a lot of energy around him. At LAFC, they will see Son come in every morning, he’s the most professional guy ever, he trains the hardest, he works the hardest, how can you not learn from him?"
Keane speaks from experience—he himself swapped White Hart Lane for California, albeit with LA Galaxy, and notched an impressive 83 league goals in 125 MLS appearances. Now, Son is following a similar script, hitting the ground running in the United States. As of October 9, 2025, Son has already bagged eight goals in nine MLS games for LAFC, including a remarkable run of seven goals in his last five outings. The numbers are staggering but perhaps not surprising for a player with such a consistent scoring record: in 13 professional seasons, Son has failed to reach double-digit league goals just twice—once in his debut Premier League year (four goals), and again last season, when he managed seven under manager Ange Postecoglou.
Son’s ability to adapt and excel is a testament to his professionalism and drive. His 173 goals for Tottenham place him fifth on the club’s all-time scoring list, trailing only Harry Kane, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Smith, and Martin Chivers. With the possibility of extending his career in MLS into his late thirties, Son could well become a legend on both sides of the Atlantic. The longevity and impact are there, and with LAFC fans already singing his praises, the story is far from over.
While Son is lighting up the MLS, another Premier League alumnus is enjoying a renaissance of his own. Jack Grealish, once the poster boy for Manchester City’s party culture, has found new life at Everton under the stewardship of David Moyes. Moyes, who returned to Goodison Park in January 2025, inherited a squad teetering on the brink of relegation. By the end of the season, Everton were not just safe—they were thriving, finishing a whopping 23 points clear of 18th-placed Leicester City.
Much of that turnaround can be attributed to Moyes’ ability to get the best out of his players, including Grealish. Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane is an unabashed fan. "That’s why I love Jack Grealish," Keane said on October 8, 2025. "I love Jack. He’s a free spirit, I know him very well, he’s the nicest kid ever. He loves football, he’s so laid back, he likes a beer every now and then at the right times. A lot of people do and they pretend they don’t because they’re scared."
Grealish himself has been candid about his past. Earlier this month, he admitted that his penchant for partying during his City days may have contributed to his struggles there. "People go, ‘he likes to go out, he likes to party’ and I do," Grealish said. "I want to be able to live my life and enjoy myself, but obviously there’s a time and a place to do that. Sometimes, I’ll be honest with you, I probably haven’t picked the right times. At City, I didn’t help myself at times, I’ll openly say that, but then I don’t think it was all down to that." Now 30, Grealish appears more mature and focused, qualities that are translating into improved performances on the pitch.
As for Robbie Keane, his football journey has taken an intriguing turn. After a decorated playing career that included stints at Tottenham, LA Galaxy, and the Republic of Ireland national team, Keane is in his first season managing Hungarian top-flight side Ferencváros. It’s his third managerial post, following a two-year spell at Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. The adjustment from player to coach hasn’t always been easy, as Keane admitted in an interview published October 8, 2025. "That competitive fire never leaves you, as a player, I don’t think," Keane said. "Of course, it’s difficult, because I always felt as a player I was always in control. I always knew I could do something, make something happen. I could score a goal at any second. But then, as a coach, you’re relying on the players to do it. So you give them instruction, give them as much as possible to do, but yeah, you’re relying on them. So I think as a manager, that’s probably the hardest thing, to be honest."
Ferencváros has started strong under Keane, sitting near the top of Hungary’s NB I table after eight matches. Keane attributes much of his early success to man-management. "Being a manager, tactically is 20-30 percent [of it], I’d say. The 70 percent is how you manage a group, how you manage the players, how you keep 25 players happy." He also emphasized the importance of treating each player as an individual, recognizing that not everyone will have his movement or instincts, but may excel in other areas.
Could an MLS return be on the cards for Keane? He isn’t ruling it out but remains focused on his European adventure. "I never say never. You never know until the opportunity comes your way and it’s in front of you. But if you’re asking me to say that right now, I’d have to say probably not, because what I’m doing here, I’m enjoying it. I’m in Europe and doing things the way I want to do them." Still, with his deep ties to LA Galaxy and MLS—where he won three MLS Cups, a Supporters’ Shield, and the 2013-14 MVP—it’s a door he’s happy to leave ajar.
From Son’s star turn in Los Angeles to Grealish’s redemption in Merseyside and Keane’s new life on the touchline, it’s a season of transformation and possibility. The journeys of these football figures are far from finished, and fans on both sides of the Atlantic will be watching closely as the next chapters unfold.
