Ange Postecoglou has stated that his main aim is to win games, implying that he will continue to pull Son Heung-min off in the latter stages of games if he believes it will benefit the team.
Despite being Tottenham’s club captain, Son has been replaced late in games on several occasions this season.
The 31-year-old has reportedly had groin issues recently (The Athletic), and some have speculated that Postecoglou withdrawing him in the latter stages of matches is to protect him from sustaining a serious injury, given the forward’s fitness concerns (Evening Standard).
Son also played the entire 90 minutes for South Korea in their 6-0 victory against Vietnam last week, scoring in the second half.
Some Spurs fans were worried when they spotted the attacker limping throughout that game, but he is scheduled to start against Fulham this evening (Football.London).
When asked about Son’s recent failure to play 90 minutes for Tottenham, Postecoglou remarked (via Vavel): “As long as he’s still scoring goals, I couldn’t care, mate.” He has six goals and recently scored for South Korea. Son got to where he is due of the kind of person he is. I’m not going to edit his part of it because you have to consider everything in context.
“I made substitutions [against Arsenal and Liverpool] because I wanted to win, mate.” I’m not looking after the players; I’m trying to win games. I don’t care who makes the substitutions if I believe they will help us achieve our goal. It makes no difference whether it is Son, James Maddison, or anyone else.
“In the games we’ve had so far, we’ve just needed different things, and you make those decisions based on who’s available to come on.” If their maximum in a game is 70 minutes, that’s acceptable. That makes me very delighted.”
Our Opinion
Son is a team player who will not fling his toys out the pram if and when he is removed, as the 31-year-old wants to win as much as everyone else. Postecoglou is clearly attempting to instill that attitude in his team.
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