Besides the Venetian-Blind Sunglasses that Kanye West used to wear, you know the ones, we all owned a pair at some stage or another, the international break is quite possibly the worst invention of all time. It features mundane fixtures with mundane tactics and football so slow and predictable that it wouldn’t look out of place in the walking version of the game. But, worst of all, it features injury after injury, something that Tottenham Hotspur and Son Heung-min now know all too well.
The South Korean suffered a calf injury whilst on international duty and will now miss the game against Crystal Palace, and could be a doubt for games against Chelsea and, most importantly, north London rivals, Arsenal. It comes at the worst time possible. Son was on form; Spurs were on form, and looking sharp under Nuno Espírito Santo. Everything was going perfectly, but from perfect, things can only get worse, and they have with the injury.
Son Heung-min Injury Could Derail Tottenham Hotspur’s Perfect Start
Becoming the Main Man at Spurs
Thanks to Harry Kane’s summer transfer saga, Son Heung-min has quickly become the talisman at Tottenham Hotspur; the new golden child, if you will. And he has responded to this all new position of royalty with a fine start to the season, scoring two goals in three Premier League games to fire his side top of the tree with the only 100% record.
The winger, occasionally turned striker, began the season with a statement performance, netting the winner against champions Manchester City. The message stated that, no matter what Harry Kane decides to do, Spurs have always got Son to rely on. A message that there was no need for Kane if worse comes to worse. Now on the sidelines, however, the question rise, just how much do Spurs rely on their South Korean talisman?
He has stepped up on countless occasions, whether it be key Premier League clashes or Champions League ties, he is always on hand to play a key role. Yet, here he is, on the flip side of the scenario. And, here others are, now needed to replace him instead of the other way round. It produces quite the situation, and one Espírito Santo would love to have avoided. Alas, here he stands, with the biggest conundrum to solve in potentially some of the biggest games of the season.
How Do Spurs Replace Son Heung-Min Following Injury?
Replacing a key player is never easy, but Spurs must persist and find a solution following the injury to Son Heung-min. Just what that solution will be, is anyone’s guess. Espírito Santo will need to rely on others, that’s one thing we know for sure.
Perhaps Dele Alli’s role will change ever so slightly, alongside the formation, to accommodate a positional switch. Or, maybe the responsibility falls on Lucas Moura’s shoulders. The Brazilian loves pressure; after all, he is cemented into the history books for scoring a hat-trick in the most pressurised moments to send Spurs to the Champions League final. Or, will the responsibility fall onto the young shoulders of newcomer, Bryan Gil. What better way to announce yourself than by filling in for one of the best players at the club? It would certainly impress the fans.
Espírito Santo has options at his disposal. The Son Heung-min injury is not ideal, but perhaps the chance to experiment will do the new Spurs boss good early in his north London venture.
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