OPINION
As well as bringing in no new faces during the summer transfer window, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has also had to deal with firm favourite Heung-min Son leaving for the Asian Games.
With no obligation to let him depart for the competition, Spurs chose to let the 26-year-old take part as an overage player for South Korea in a bid to help him avoid taking part in mandatory military service, which would keep him away from football for nearly two years.
Previously, players for South Korea have been given an exemption from the 21-month stint if they have been able to provide some sort of success at an international competition, such as the Olympics, World Cup or Asian Games, and that is exactly what Son and Spurs are hoping he can achieve this time around.
However, speaking of his time away from north London, he has revealed he is not entirely focused on playing for his country, with his club’s fortunes also at the forefront of his mind – but that needs to change if he hopes to keep forging a career with the Lilywhites.
He was quoted by the London Evening Standard as saying: “I can’t say I’m 100 per cent sure to win the gold medal. We are on the way to make something, and to win some trophies.
“I always follow Tottenham – I was very happy because Lucas [Moura] scored his first Premier League goal for us, and Harry [Kane] scored in August.
“I’m following wherever I go. When they play Manchester United [on Monday] I will support them. Conversations with Lucas Moura, Eric Lamela, Harry, we have a lot of good players. I think this will make our team stronger and stronger.”
While supporting the side is all well and good, he needs to stop worrying about what his side are doing over in England and stay 100 per cent focused on ensuring he and his international team mates are fully prepared for the tests that lie in wait.
His Tottenham future, even with a new five-year contract, could well depend on his success during these games, and forgetting about them for a short while will make sure that he has the chance to continue playing for the club instead of serving his country’s miltary.