Son Heung-min may benefit by Richarlison’s return to the Tottenham team for the North London Derby against Arsenal as he tries to get back to his best.
In the last two games, Tottenham’s absence of a true striker has been evident. Son Heung-min, the captain of Spurs, has led the line in Richarlison’s absence due to injury.
Despite having filled that role several times already this season and using it to score 12 of his 15 Premier League goals in 2023–2024, the South Korean hasn’t had much luck this time around when used as a center striker because his opponents aren’t giving him much.
The 31-year-old was substituted on 58 minutes into the 4-0 thumping at St. James’ Park. He has not scored in his last three Premier League games against West Ham, Nottingham Forest, and Newcastle United.
With virtually little help from midfield, Son occasionally dropped deep to receive the ball and try to make things happen for the club. He didn’t even have a shot on goal or a dribble forward.The Newcastle defense completely neutralized him, and he appeared to be a different person.
The sides’ prior matches against West Ham and Nottingham Forest were nearly identical in that they both had strong defenses and strong defenders in a low block.
Son has to do much better the next time if he is leading the line, even though it isn’t his game because he isn’t that kind of player.
Alexander Isak gave Newcastle the lead after James Maddison and Son mixed up, then the Swede added a second goal when Son gave up control near the Newcastle area, allowing Bruno Guimaraes to let his teammate through on goal for Newcastle’s third. Son gave way soon after, and Dejan Kulusevski took his position.
With a game remaining against Unai Emery’s squad and currently three points behind Aston Villa in fourth place, Son Heung-min may be the difference between Tottenham and the champions in the next six games. Spurs will need their star player to be at the top of his game, after all, with matches against Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea and Man City, Arsenal, and Liverpool vying for the Premier League crown up ahead.
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