Peter Crouch has told BT Sport that Tottenham star Son Heung-min is “trying too hard” to score goals for Spurs following Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt – claiming the “world-class” ace is too “tense” right now.
Following a poor start to the season, Son went into the international break after coming off the bench to score a hat-trick against Leicester. He looked back to his best, after two goals for South Korea against Cameroon and Costa Rica.
But against Arsenal, Son was poor. At critical times, he had the chance to pass into Harry Kane or Richarlison. One moment, he could have set Richarlison through on goal with a simply five-yard pass – but he overcooked the assist.
Saturday’s frustrating display was followed by a misfiring performance on Tuesday. Son got into the positions, made the runs, and had the chances – but his shooting boots were left in England. Crouch thinks he is trying too hard.
“He is trying too hard, always going for the top corner. With his power, he does not need to be so precise. You can see when someone is snatching, he looks tense. It is not quite happening. He is a world-class player, it will happen.”
Crouch: Tottenham star Son is ‘trying too hard’, ‘snatching’ at chances
Crouch has a good point. Against Frankfurt, he had a real chance after a gorgeous flick from Harry Kane – but decided to try and curl the ball into the top corner. Really, he just had to pass the ball into the corner from 18 yards out.
It is a strange one. Why has Son gone from scoring five goals in three games for club and country, to struggling for Spurs again? Is it a lack of confidence – remarkable, given he finished as joint first in the golden boot race last term?
Crouch’s verdict is accurate – but he is also bang on when he says that Son is “world class” and that form is only temporary. It will not be long before Son is back, scoring goals on a regular basis – like he did against Leicester.
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