Tottenham: Son Heung-min has shone up front – but Spurs still need a new striker
Son Heung-min has had to pick up a great deal of slack at Tottenham after Harry Kane’s summer departure to Bayern Munich.
The South Korean has inherited the captain’s armband, the burden of being the team’s primary goalscorer and even – for much of the campaign – the role of centre-forward.
Son has shone when used up front this season, netting 12 of his 15 Premier League goals as his team’s central striker [Transfermarkt] – but Spurs would still improve by recruiting a more natural player for that position.
Where should Ange Postecoglou deploy Son Heung-min for Tottenham?
Son’s goalscoring record as a centre-forward is evidence enough that the 31-year-old is more than capable of producing in that role.
Moving a player with the South Korean’s finishing ability closer to goal has naturally led to a productive season for Son as an individual, with 12 goals and five assists in 19 Premier League appearances in the position.
Moreover, Spurs’ results with their captain up front compared to out wide this term have been broadly similar – seven wins and three losses in 10 appearances on the left and 10 wins, three draws and six defeats in 19 showings more centrally.
However, what is clear is that, while Son offers plenty of direct threat in transition and technical quality as a striker, what he fails to provide is what is often described as “classic” centre-forward play – the ability to hold the ball up, pin central defenders with his back to goal and generally provide an out-ball as a focal point in attack.
These qualities are not essential for a modern team’s central striker, but Son’s 58th-minute substitution against Newcastle United was perhaps a glimpse into the type of scenario in which Ange Postecoglou might wish for a more physical presence up front.
Furthermore, Son’s superb link-up relationship with Kane over the years is evidence of what he can offer when given a focal point to play off. With Richarlison struggling for fitness and no natural alternative, it seems clear that Tottenham would improve if Postecoglou can add a number nine to his squad this summer.
In other Tottenham news, Garth Crooks has slammed James Maddison’s performance against Newcastle.
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