Ange Postecoglou has acknowledged Son Heung-min will be a “big loss” over the coming weeks – but he’s calling on the rest of his Tottenham squad to step up in the captain’s absence.
Spurs host Burnley in the FA Cup third round on Friday night, the first of potentially six matches that Son could be missing while away with South Korea at the Asian Cup.
Son has scored 12 times this season, but Postecoglou’s team will also miss his influence off the pitch, with vice-captains Cristian Romero and James Maddison both still injured.
“Sonny, if you name a team of the year at the moment, he’s in it,” Postecoglou said on Thursday.
“He’s been a hell of a player for us. It’s a big loss for us – another one – and we’re going to have to really raise everyone’s levels to cover his absence.
“Whoever wears the armband tomorrow is not really that significant to me.
“What’s more important is that Sonny has been an outstanding leader in deeds, actions and words and we’re going to need players to step up tomorrow irrespective of who’s wearing the armband.
“We need to try and fill that hole that he’s left because he’s been outstanding for us.
“We’ll need a number of people to stand up in that area just in terms of experience on the day.”
Tottenham will bank on Brazilian superstar Richarlison being able to continue his fine form and cover for Son over the next month.
Richarlison has five goals in as many matches and looks revitalised after minor groin surgery in November.
Postecoglou added: “It’s no magic cure, he got some treatment for what he needed to get treatment for and he feels good now.”
While they’re in the thick of the Premier League title race, Spurs’ Australian boss was adamant that it did not hold more importance to him than the FA Cup.
“I know what I feel. Every competition I am in, I want to win. I don’t rank them or diminish any against others. Whether it’s domestic or continental, everything is hard earned,” he said. “I have not sensed anything different with this competition.
“The club has history in this, many of the greatest memories Spurs supporters have will have been in the FA Cup.”
Tottenham have won the FA Cup eight times, but their most recent triumph was back in the 1991.
“I’m similar to anyone who loves football. The FA Cup is a significant event. The FA Cup reaches every corner of the globe, it is a great competition with great tradition and I am looking forward to having a crack at it.”
Source: AAP
