Tottenham frontline striker Eden Hazard (26) has been tipped as the key to reviving Son Heung-min (32).
“Enze Postecoglou has the ideal striker to solve Son Heung-min’s frontline dilemma,” the English ‘Football London’ reported on Aug. 18 (KST). It’s Michy Batshuayi,” said the paper. “If he returns for the North London derby, Son could find his best form,” the report added.
“The absence of Tottenham’s main striker has been evident in the last two games,” the outlet continued, “and Son Heung-Min has started in his place, but unfortunately, he hasn’t brought much joy. The 31-year-old hasn’t scored in three consecutive games against West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle,” he said, explaining the striker’s recent goal drought.
Tottenham suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat to Newcastle in the 33rd round of the English Premier League (EPL) 2023-2024 season at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, England, on Nov. 13. Spurs, who are chasing a fourth-place finish that would qualify them for the UEFA Champions League (UCL), remain in fifth place with 60 points (W18 D6 L8).
Son started as a frontline striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation. However, in the 13th minute of the second half, down 0-3, Postecoglou brought on the star striker. In effect, he raised the white flag. Son was looking for his third 10-goal, 10-assist season in the league, but was substituted without any offensive points. He made one threatening out-front pass in the first half, but failed to get a single shot off. He was also isolated with no ball coming from the center of the pitch and had only 26 touches on the ball.
The media said of Son Heung-min, “At times, he dropped deep to try and receive the ball, but he couldn’t even dribble towards goal, let alone shoot. He was completely overwhelmed by the Newcastle defense and looked like a shadow of his former self.”
With the return of the Frenchman and Son Heung-min dropping back to his natural position as a left winger, the synergy between the two teams is huge. “There’s plenty of time for him to get back to full fitness after missing the last two games,” the publication said, “He’s impressive finishing in front of goal. He possesses the ball well and has the versatility to make things difficult for defenders up front.”
“Getting him back in the center of the park and allowing Son to do what he does best is key for Tottenham.”
Hicharisson was recently sidelined with a knee injury. He has been lingering over a knee injury he suffered in February. He missed two consecutive games against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa last month before making a brief appearance as a substitute against Fulham. He was called up to the Brazil squad for the March A-Match but missed the two games against England and Spain before returning to Tottenham. After coming on as a late substitute against Luton Town and West Ham, he was left out of the squad for the last game against Nottingham Forest. It appears that the knee he was recovering from has flared up again.
His absence is a big loss for the team. After a poor start to the season, he filled the void perfectly when Son Heung-min was away at the Asian Cup. He scored four goals in five league games without Son in the lineup. While the team’s scoring tended to fall to Son Heung-min, he rose to second on the team’s scoring charts in his absence, leading many to say that he was finally being ‘ransomed’. The synergy between Son, who returned from the Asian Cup, and the goal-scoring sensation was expected to be huge, but unfortunately, he was injured again.
This isn’t the first time Son Heung-min has been criticized. Ever since the Newcastle game, there have been calls for him to return to his natural position of left winger. “If Tottenham are to be genuine title contenders next season, they need to fix a number of things. One of these is the issue of Son Heung-min up top,” the report said. “Tottenham have had a successful first season under manager Enze Postecoglou. However, a number of problems have emerged recently, and the tactic of playing Son Heung-min up front must end,” he said.
“Son Heung-min must have been humiliated to be substituted 13 minutes into the second half of the last game against Newcastle,” said TeamTalk. “He has scored 15 league goals this season, but against Newcastle, he looked lost up top.” “He uses clever moves to find space and run around. However, the game against Newcastle showed that he cannot make an impact when the defense drops back.”
He emphasized that Son should play as a left winger, his natural position. “Son Heung-min didn’t have a single shot on target on the day. When he did get the ball, he struggled to bring others down. This was Harry Kane’s role until last season. As a left winger, it’s a waste of talent to ask Son Heung-min to play like Kane for a team that drops back.”
In addition to Son, the team also has another top-notch resource in the form of the Frenchman. “There are plenty of alternatives,” says Team Talk, “as he has shown improvement as a frontline striker this season. He is injury prone, but he is more than capable of playing as the number nine for Spurs.”
“Son Heung-min has done his job as a frontline striker whenever needed this season. However, he struggled in the center of the park on Saturday, with only 26 ball 토토사이트 touches and not a single shot on goal. There were no forward dribbles.”
“Postecoglou tried to create passing options by bringing Son down when other strikers were blocked. Heung-min’s backward play has improved over the years, but he’s not the type of striker to cut in behind. He gets more momentum when he’s going towards goal.”
“Postecoglou took Son off in the 13th minute of the second half,” said FootballDaily, “and the solemn expression on the Korean’s face when he was substituted said it all. “The solemn expression on the Korean’s face when he was substituted said it all: he was disappointed with his performance.
Tottenham, meanwhile, hosts nemesis Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 28th. With six games left until the end of the league, most of their remaining opponents are tricky. They face title contenders Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool, as well as formidable opponents Chelsea, while Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday are also in the running for the title.
Son, who has 15 goals and nine assists in the league, is just one assist away from reaching 10 goals and 10 assists. After falling short against Newcastle, he’s back in the hunt. It will be interesting to see if Heung-min can reach 10 goals and 10 assists for the first time in three years. After scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists in the 2019-2020 season, Heung-min became the first Asian player to reach 10 goals and 10 assists in the EPL. He followed that up with 17 goals and 10 assists in the 2020-2021 season, his second consecutive 10-goal season.
If Son Heung-min can reach 10 goals and 10 assists again this season, he’ll have another significant milestone. Only five players have ever scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists in the EPL three or more times. Wayne Rooney (five times), Eric Cantona, Frank Lampard (at least four times), Mohamed Salah, and Didier Drogba (three times). It will be interesting to see if Son Heung-min can join them. With six games left in the league this season, Son’s third 10-goal, 10-assist season is well within reach.
Not only that, but he’ll also be looking for his first 20 goals and 10 assists of his career. Only 11 players in EPL history have accomplished this feat. Harry Kane, Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie, Sergio Aguero, Jürgen Klinsmann, Andy Cole, Luis Suarez, Alexis Sanchez, Salah, and Drogba. Son will need five goals, but it’s a tally that’s within reach if there’s a late-season surge.