Martin Keown has been blown away by Son Heung-min’s recent form for Tottenham, claiming that the 26-year-old’s absence will be a “huge loss” for the club once he jets out for the Asian Cup.
The South Korea international will head to the UAE next month and could miss up to four Spurs fixtures if his nation go all the way to the final.
Arsenal legend Keown has suggested that Spurs’ bid to win the Premier League title will suffer a blow because of Son’s absence, especially as he believes Manchester City and Liverpool have stronger squads that what Mauricio Pochettino has.
“I think they do. Son Heung-min has been outstanding this season but will travel to the Asian Cup after Tottenham’s clash with Manchester United on January 13,” said Keown on the Daily Mail website.
“Spurs felt his absence when he was away with South Korea in August and he will be a huge loss to them again.
“The lack of squad depth compared with Manchester City and Liverpool means Mauricio Pochettino has had to work even harder with his players to get the same results as his rivals.
“But I am convinced that he believes Tottenham can win this title. Inside that dressing room, the message will not be, ‘Let’s give it our best shot.’ It will be, ‘Let’s win it.”
OPINION
Spurs did not struggle without Son at the start of the season, even though that is what Keown is suggesting. The former Bayer Leverkusen attacker only missed three games, and Spurs won two of them, losing the other away at Manchester United. That was hardly a poor run of form by Pochettino’s side, and hopefully Tottenham will be able to continue their current run of form in January while Son is away. Luckily Spurs have decent options in Son’s position. Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura can come straight in for the South Korean while he is away, and both of them have proven themselves to be match-winners on occasions this season. Son’s goalscoring run has only really happened in the last seven Premier League matches where he has scored seven goals. Before that he has no goals in seven league fixtures. So this proves that Keown is wrong and Spurs will be able to cope without Son.