Maurico Pochettino has hailed Son Heung-Min as an “important” player for Tottenham who will have plenty of game time this season.
Son has been on the fringes of the Spurs starting XI for most of the campaign and has been frequently omitted for the marquee fixtures.
He has started six of Tottenham’s Premier League games and three of their five Champions League matches, but demonstrated his calibre with the winning goal in Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Borussia Dortmund after being recalled to the starting XI.
Asked if the former Bayer Leverkusen ace had been named in the team because of his fine scoring record against Dortmund, Pochettino told Football London: “No. I never think about what happened in the past. We need to rotate some players, we need to give games to some players and for the squad to be competitive every three days.
“Son is so important for us and will be important for us.”
OPINION
Son is an underrated player in the eyes of many, but Pochettino will value his game-changing ability, versatility and eye for a goal. His strike at Dortmund was his fourth of the season, perhaps a few less than he would have needed to have nailed down a regular starting role at White Hart Lane. The south Korean is almost Tottenham’s 12th man. He just misses out on their best possible XI when everyone is available, but is the first substitute to be brought on when a game needs changing. He is invaluable. Every team needs a Son.