Son Heung-min problem emerges for Postecoglou after Tottenham draw v Fulham
Ange Postecoglou will be worried by Son Heung-min’s performance after the Tottenham captain was a shadow of his former self against Fulham.
Leading the line due to the enforced absence of Dominic Solanke in the Lilywhites’ 1-1 draw on Sunday 1 December, Son was unable to make anything like the impact fans have come to expect from him.
While Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson either side of him combined to net the opening goal for Postecoglou’s side, the Spurs boss will be reeling from the lack of other options he had up front.
Son has excelled off the left for Spurs so far this season, often starting ahead of Werner, but with Solanke and Richarlison out, it’s clear Postecoglou is lacking when it comes to the number nine role.
Son Heung-min showing signs of a decline at Tottenham
Now 32 years old and in his 10th season with the Lilywhites, there’s no doubt that Son has become one of the club’s best players in the Premier League era, and is arguably a close second behind Harry Kane.
However, given he was only able to take three touches in the box and fired off one shot for just 0.18 xG against Fulham [FotMob], it’s clear Postecoglou needs to find a better use for his skipper going forward.
Though that shot was on target and Son completed a further 84 per cent of his passes, it went down as a big chance missed, with the South Korean losing possession twice from his four ground duels.
Furthermore, while Son has had greater success from the flanks than through the middle this season, zero per cent of his three crosses found a target [FotMob], on top of a further four final-third passes.
Son also failed to win possession with his only attempted tackle and completed one ball recovery, and despite playing up front, Spurs fans have become accustomed to his regular defensive contributions.
Postecoglou will undoubtedly reshuffle his attack once the likes of Solanke and Richarlison return to the fold, but it remains to be seen how best the Australian can utilise his captain for the rest of the season.
In other Tottenham news, a German legend has told one player that Spurs would be an “ideal” club for him to join in the future.
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