Heung Min-Son isn’t having much fun this season. His performances have generally left one feeling as if the South Korean is somehow out of sorts; the conviction doesn’t appear to be there, the goals are noticeable by their absence, and last night in the Champions League against Marseille, Sonny’s inability to get on top of the ball was frequently embarrassing.
Thirteen times Son fluffed his lines against the visiting Frenchmen, and on four occasions this was in his own half.
We can only guess at what might be eating the player – has the arrival of Richarlison unsettled the dressing room? Did winning the Golden Boot place a burden on his shoulders?
Whatever the cause of this slump, it is difficult for me to believe that the situation will be improved by benching the player.
Class is permanent, form is temporary, and it is absolutely crucial to remind ourselves that this isn’t some Dele Alli character we are dealing with here.
Son is an accredited international, a proven goalscorer, and a seasoned professional. To my mind, swapping the lad out would be counterproductive. Play Sonny through the slump and show the boy some respect.
I am slightly out of step here but I dont care sometimes you have to leave the flock i encountered weak management at work before.
How many games has Son been out of sorts now and what is Conte’s answer?
Drop Kulu who has been much better.
Weak.
100% agree. The worst thing we could do is to drop him. He has to play. I am 100% confident he will return to form soon. The guy is world class and as professional as they come.
Is there a way to play the four together ? Possibly Harry is the most possessed to play a strict 10 role with Son and Charli on the burst ?
I know its echoes of Ardiles flying 5 , which never quite worked , but it was bloody exciting.
My point being – we simply MUST PLAY Richarlison .
The Kid’s in the mood , in the groove , in the team please !!!!! C O Y S !!!!!!!!!!!!
Poor Sonny. He has always been inconsistent. He used to have 3 or 4 good games and then 2 or 3 bad ones. He has gone missing in big games… Last season Son really broke his duck. He had an amazing season, rarely went missing, was clinical (golden boot). His best ever was always going to be difficult to replicate.
His Dad hasn’t helped him with his comments in the summer though he was right.
It’s a mental thing, a confidence thing which affects his form.. H is right as usual, he needs to be played as much as possible until he gets his mojo back.. The team comes first though, I would still sub him in games and probably quicker than Conte has been..
Sonny is brilliant when we attack teams deep from the counter.. Not so good when the opposition are set up with men behind the ball. As our team gets better we will get more of the ball and we will have to break teams down more, so he will find it harder going forward. Son isn’t even good at build up play. He doesn’t take the ball past players, he doesn’t pass well. He tends to slow us down in this situation.
The team and club and winning is what really matters.. Sonnys crybaby, sulky, frustrated face does irk me a little bit now, especially when we’re winning games.. He’s thinking about himself too much and he’s trying too hard.
This isn’t a disaster it’s standard Son to play well and then drop off a cliff.. The goals will come back no worries, he’s not David Bentley.
Up the Yids.
Not a bad punt. He’s a rock star out there.
Emotionally drained after being lauded in South Korea during the tour.
Somethings changed. It’s likely to be in his head. It could be the new signings. He feels threatened perhaps. It could be the golden boot and the pressure to perform again. The spotlights firmly on him this season.
Whatever it is. He needs to sort it. Personally I think a couple of games on the bench would shock him back to the reality of his job. He, like one or two others think they’re un-droppable. And Conte isn’t letting them think otherwise.
That.
When a punk icon passes ..the world stands still…
So is the game officially cancelled yet?
At least one player will know what to do (Cucurella)
Moyes 2.0?
It would be typical him to score a screamer against Citeh though he’s been awful so far
It is the matchup. Son’s speed is crucial against City on the counter. It has nothing to do with respect for me, it is all about what factors best against the opponent at hand. He needs to start and play in that match – might be just what the doctor ordered.
I may be a bit hard-nosed here, but Son is a mental and emotional player. I agree that benching an emotional player is not always the most viable solution… but rotation is rotation, and Sonny needs to suck it up, play hard when called upon, and accept his rotation for the sake of the squad when that is what is required.
I know Richarlison has been playing well, but I think the 3 of Son, Kane, Kulusevski start this City match with the full intention of putting Richarlison in where required as a sub. Son, Kane, and Kulusevski all work well on the quick counter with all 3 players knowing the timing to provide assists.
Kane and Son should both get at least 30m rest against Sporting. That is an excellent matchup for Spurs, and neither Son nor Kane should be needed for more than 60m as long as Spurs finish their counters. Sporting like to try to possess for the sake of possession. When Sporting faces well organised countering squads, … they suck.
It is a conundrum. The form has to turn at some point and he loves playing v City as you say.
Deki was pivotal in last season’s win up there though.
So much for Potter doesn’t care about money.
I can’t disagree he deserves to be dropped so should, builds character and all that.
the good thing is I’m happy with any of them , conte knows where they are physically and mentally so we shall find out at 4.30pm.
But he tends to terrorise City. We need his pace on the counter attack.
The point of improving the attacking positions is having the luxury of changing things if they are not going well.
Conte has a decision to make. Kulusevski and Richarlison have earned a start in my opinion, and Kane has plenty goals.
Sonny has been dreadful, and if there is one place you can’t have passengers it is away at City. On the flipside he turns up v City.
On merit, Sonny gets benched.
Dammit, I agree
Not often I agree Harry, but 100% this time👍