Michael Owen says Son Heung-min ‘has to be careful’ about becoming labelled a bench player after his recent substitute appearances for Tottenham Hotspur.
The former England striker added that Son, whilst he is a ‘starter’ 99% of the time, has been ‘very average’ this season, hence Antonio Conte’s recent stance to drop the player.
The South Korean international has scored four goals from the bench this season, yet only once when starting in the Premier League.
After winning the Golden Boot last season, Son’s form has really tailed off, and in truth, there weren’t any real signs it was going to happen.
Either way, the 30-year-old is now playing behind the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison, despite the latter waiting for that all-important first Premier League goal for Spurs following his big-money move from Everton.
And whilst Owen thinks Son is still a ‘top player’, he had a warning for the Tottenham legend, as he told Premier League Productions (26/02/23 at 12:35 pm).
“He has to be careful, hasn’t he?! said Owen. “All of a sudden, you don’t want to be that type of player that’s (on the bench).
“We all know he can be brilliant from the start. He has just had a very average season. I mentioned the last game, when he came on, it’s a free punch when you come on in those positions. You are playing against tired legs. You are full of energy. You are a top player, anyway.
“It’s not easy, but it’s so much easier coming on and making an impact from the bench than it is starting.
“As we know, he is a starter. In every game, he should be a starter, if he’s playing up to his levels. But he’s not been at those levels and it’s no surprise that he’s been taken out of the firing line.”
SON DESERVES TO BE BENCHED
Some would argue that Son probably should have been benched a lot earlier because he has been well off colour during this campaign.
Even that hat trick against Leicester City didn’t kick-start his season, but perhaps coming off the bench for a few more weeks might liven him up.
Not only that, Son only needs to look towards last season and how he powered through during the crunch moments of the campaign and helped Spurs to fourth spot. The same is going to be needed again.
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