Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte has told Football.London that Son Heung-min will not take a penalty against Norwich City despite being involved in the Golden Boot race against Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
Conte’s Tottenham will take on Norwich City in the Premier League on the final day of the season.
Spurs effectively need a draw from the match to beat bitter North London rivals Arsenal to the Premier League top four.
Son has scored 21 goals in the Premier League, just one fewer than Liverpool forward Salah.
The South Korea international forward could end up winning the Golden Boot this season, but he will have to do so without taking any penalties.
That’s because Tottenham head coach Conte has made it clear that star striker Harry Kane will take penalties, as he usually does, adding that Son understands his harsh and brutal decision.
Antonio Conte on Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min
Conte told Football.London: “Before there is the interest of the team and Harry Kane is our player who has to kick. If there is this opportunity Kane has to kick.
“Then I am pleased for Sonny, he deserves to stay in this position, but don’t forget the first interest is the target of the team not personal target, the personal target comes later.
“If we are good to match both situations I am the first to be happy, but I repeat, I know Sonny thinks my way because he is a really good guy, he is a smart person, a very intelligent person.
“I am the first person to be happy to have a player in my team win the Golden Boot, I am the first. But if you ask me to pick one of these two, you know which is my answer. I also know Sonny’s answer.”
Good management
In our view, Tottenham boss Conte is doing the right thing regarding Son and penalties.
Yes, it may appear harsh and brutal, but it is in the interest of the team.
Kane is a master at taking spot kicks, and Tottenham cannot afford any slip-ups against Norwich.
Now, of course, if Tottenham are 3-0 or 4-0 up and then they get a penalty, then Son should be given the chance to take it.
However, if the game is in balance, then, in our view, Kane should take the spot kick, not Son.
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