Tottenham Boss Postecoglou Backs Son to Defy Age and Deliver Trophy

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou praises Son Heung-min's 'elite' ability and backs him to deliver a strong finish to the season.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has expressed his unwavering support for captain Son Heung-min, labeling him an “elite” player. Despite Son's sluggish start to the season, which saw him score only four goals heading into December, Postecoglou is confident that the South Korean is now back to his best.

Son, 32, had faced rare criticism earlier in the season, but his recent performances have alleviated concerns about his form. Although he is currently experiencing a seven-game goal drought, Son's contributions to the team extend beyond his goal-scoring. He has provided 10 assists in all competitions this season, including setting up Brennan Johnson's two goals in Tottenham's win at Ipswich on Saturday.

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Postecoglou has no regrets about Tottenham's decision to trigger a one-year extension to Son's contract in January, which will keep him at the club until 2026. The Australian manager believes that Son's quality and dedication to the team make him an invaluable asset. As Tottenham prepares to face Manchester City on Wednesday, Postecoglou is optimistic about Son's prospects, stating that there are no signs of the veteran forward slowing down.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has lavished praise on captain Son Heung-min, highlighting his exceptional skills and consistency. “His ability to beat players, even in tight areas, is elite. His finishing I think is elite,” Postecoglou said. This endorsement comes after Son's outstanding performance in Tottenham's win at Ipswich on Saturday, where he set up two goals for Brennan Johnson.

Postecoglou attributed Son's impressive display to his ability to recover between games. “Sonny's benefitted from the fact he's been able to have a break between games. We saw that on the weekend after being able to recover from one game to another and having a full week to get his energy levels back, he was outstanding, particularly in the first half.” The manager also expressed his reluctance to predict when Son's form might decline, citing the player's exceptional dedication and self-care. “And he was great before. You never want to try to predict with players like Sonny how long he will go for because those kind of players I think always defy whatever odds there are. It's because of the way they look after themselves and conduct themselves, the levels.”

With Tottenham's sights set on winning a trophy this season, Postecoglou will be relying on Son to deliver a strong finish to the campaign. The manager had previously boasted that he always wins a trophy in his second season, and with only the Europa League left as a trophy chance, Son's contributions will be crucial. Unfortunately, Tottenham will be without Dominic Solanke and Richarlison for their upcoming match against Manchester City on Wednesday, making Son's inspiration even more vital.

Postecoglou emphasized Son's impressive statistics, which continue to rank him among the top wingers in the league. “Even this year, as difficult as it has been for us, I think his numbers still stack up. You weigh him up against any winger in the league, he's still going to be top five,” Postecoglou said. The manager also highlighted Son's remarkable consistency over the years, stating that he has been one of the top performers in his position for nearly a decade. “He's probably been top five in the nine or 10 years he's been here. Not many would rank with Sonny in terms of output on a consistent basis from his position. He's top 10 percent of players in his position in the Premier League. Those are the facts and if he's continuing to do that, there's nothing to say he should slow down.”