Brad Friedel thinks it’s a ‘positive’ that Son Heung-min isn’t performing for Tottenham Hotspur this season, but he backed the player to get back to his best ‘very soon’, as he told the Football Show on Sky Sports.
The former Premier League goalkeeper added that ‘everyone has confidence’ in Son, so whilst he’s struggling for form, it will click sooner rather than later for the Tottenham 30-year-old.
Son was lifting the Golden Boot last season, after he scored 23 goals and supplied nine assists as Antonio Conte’s side secured Champions League football.
At the peak of his powers, with a full pre-season under Conte, and a healthy summer transfer window, everyone expected things to click for the team’s key players.
But whilst Harry Kane has got his engine warm, Dejan Kulusevski has started off in a strong fashion and Richarlison is already a fan favourite, it’s just not working for Son.
Rather than look at the ‘negative’ aspect of Son’s troubles, Friedel was more forward-thinking and thought he just needs some luck, like a deflected goal and all will be good.
“You can look at that as a positive as well,” said Friedel. “At some stage of the season, and hopefully very soon, he’s going to start scoring and getting assists because he’s a very good player.
“Sometimes players go through these dips in forms and he’s just going to have to work through it. There is no secret remedy for it. You just have to work hard on the training ground and continue to do what you are doing, then get your confidence back.
“It could be a deflection and the goal just goes in, and that’s what brings his confidence.
‘But they have a really good player, who they know is going to get on the scoresheet. So, I think you look at it as a positive. Don’t look at it as a negative. You have a goalscorer in your squad and everyone has confidence in him.”
OPTIONS FOR CONTE
If this happened last season, then there would have been serious worry on the faces of the Tottenham supporters.
But with recent captures – Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison – providing that new lease of life to the club, added with danger in the final third, then Conte has options if he needs to change.
Whilst some question if Kuluseski will replace Son at the weekend, there could be the possibility of all four attacking players starting.
Against Marseille last week, Richarlison, Harry Kane, Son and Kulusevski were on the pitch at the same time, so whilst that might be seen as overloading, it will certainly get the fans off their seat against Leicester City.
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