Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min scored a brilliant hattrick against Leicester City in the Premier League earlier today.
The 30-year-old was having a poor season by his standards prior to that and he failed to get on the scoresheet before today.
A player of his calibre is expected to score on a regular basis and the South Korean has been constantly criticised in the media because of his goal drought.
Former Tottenham player Paul Robinson has claimed that the Spurs star is not happy with the increased competition for places at the club and that has impacted his form negatively.
Spurs signed Richarlison this summer and the Brazilian has been pushing Son for a starting berth. Robinson believes that Son is at his best when he is playing with the assurance that his spot in the starting lineup his secured.
“It’s the first time that Son has ever been questioned and I don’t think he enjoys the rivalry,” Robinson told Football Insider.
“I think he plays better when he knows he’ll be playing week in, week out. This is the first time that he’s had players sitting on the bench who are able to do his job to a similar level and in a different way.
“I don’t think he’s enjoyed the competition for places. I think he’s the type of character who likes to know he’s playing week in, week out, knows his role and knows he’s comfortable.
“Some players are different. Every player are different, some have their own drive and trigger point. Some like the comfort and knowledge they are playing and some like to know there is someone behind them who can do their job.
“Son doesn’t seem to be revelling in the fact there are two other people there who could potentially play.
“He’s a top, top quality player. There’s no question he plays week in, week out. It’s only a matter of time before that ball hits the inside of the post and goes in, rather than the outside of the post.
“His performance levels are exactly the same, you know what you are going to get. His performances haven’t dropped but the goals just aren’t coming.
“It’s unfortunate for him that at the moment there’s Richarlison and [Dejan] Kulusevski. Son’s not scored so we can talk about whether he potentially doesn’t play. For me, if he’s fit, he plays.”
However, the South Korean has now answered his critics in style. He scored the hattrick after coming on as a substitute in the second half. Son was clearly going through a rough patch and his form had nothing to do with the signings the club made.
The fans and the players will be delighted to see they talisman back to their best now.