Tottenham were able to breathe a sigh of relief as club captain Son Heung-Min breezed through his South Korea’s first match of the international break. It comes as Spurs look tentatively towards the final 10 games of the season with Champions League football in their sights.
Ange Postecoglou’s men entered the final break of the campaign with a damaging 3-0 defeat away to Fulham but still have things more than within their reach as Aston Villa also slipped up, only able to draw to West Ham. The results left Tottenham three points behind their rivals with a game in hand for the final stretch.
Already ravaged by injuries for much of the season, the break doesn’t come at a great time for Postecoglou. His squad has looked in good shape recently, especially compared to the threadbare status previously, and now the bulk of his options will be outside club control for two weeks.
Spurs have matches against Lutron and West Ham themselves immediately after the break as things ramp up a notch, and everyone associated will be keeping an eye on those playing for their country. With James Maddison in action for England on Friday against Brazil, plus another competitive-looking friendly with Belgium to come, there will be some nervous glances at the match.
However, Postecoglou may also be keen for those away on duty to be kept sharp. Such is the speed of Premier League play, being sidelined for a fortnight across the world is not ideal preparation for getting back up to the pace of domestic action quickly.
Son, though, managed to complete 90 minutes for South Korea in a 1-1 draw against Thailand in World Cup qualifying action. That Son will not be playing in friendlies does make this a more palatable period, unlike Maddison with England.
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The 31-year-old has now played 87 minutes or more in his last five matches for club and country, scoring three times and assisting twice in that period. He will undoubtedly be central to the plans moving forward into the final stretch of the season.
Although Son has shown he is already above and beyond playing at this level, it is nevertheless promising to see him keep up a run of good form and maintaining fitness without taking risks that could jeopardise Tottenham’s season. It hasn’t been uncommon in recent times for Son to suffer fitness problems whilst away.
Last time he returned back with a finger injury following an altercation with Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-In. Postecoglou will now be hoping that the rest of his internationals can follow the example set by Son on Thursday morning and return in one piece.
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