Physical decline is only natural for Son Heung-min - but he is far from finished just yet.

Andros Townsend, who spent six months playing with Tottenham's current skipper at White Hart Lane, finds it hard to understand why so many critics are writing the 32-year-old off amid Spurs' shaky season.

While it's undeniably not been Son's greatest campaign, he has still mustered seven goals and six assists in 21 appearances in all competitions.

Townsend said: "I mean he's 32 now so obviously there is going to be slight decline physically but he's still at a top, top level. He's still both-footed, he's still skilful, he's still tricky and he can still press like an animal out of possession.

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"He's still the player that everyone knows, it's just maybe he's going through a bad moment at the minute which is perfectly normal.

"In my opinion, he's still a world-class operator, the same one that we've known for many years."

Last month, Spurs opted to trigger a one-year extension clause within the attacker's contract which will extend his stay in north London to a decade.

While , Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke have all netted more goals than Son this season in the , Ange Postecoglou has had to manage the forward's minutes due to separate hamstring and thigh issues.

During that period of time, the Aussie insisted it would be pure stupidity to suggest Son is on the decline.

He said: "I think there were questions about maybe a year or so ago. I would be wary about doing that, but it might help me if you write him off. Go for it!

"I don't see that in Sonny, I still think he's got a hell of a lot of quality and from a physical standpoint."

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