Tottenham Manager Postecoglou Backs ‘Elite’ Son Following Slow Season Start

Ange Postecoglou has affirmed that Tottenham’s captain, Son Heung-min, has returned to peak form following a challenging spell earlier this season.

During the early part of the season, Son faced some unusual criticism, managing to score just four goals before December in what has otherwise been a successful career at Tottenham.

Though the 32-year-old is currently experiencing a seven-match goal drought, Postecoglou is fully confident in Tottenham’s choice to activate a one-year contract extension in January, which will keep him at the club until 2026.

In last Saturday’s victory over Ipswich, Son provided assists for Brennan Johnson on two occasions, bringing his tally to double digits for assists this season, alongside 10 goals across all competitions.

As Tottenham prepares for the upcoming fixture against Manchester City, Postecoglou noted that there are no indicators of Son slowing down.

“His capacity to outmanoeuvre opponents, even in confined spaces, is exceptional. His finishing is also top-notch,” Postecoglou remarked.

“Sonny has benefited from having breaks between matches. We saw this recently, as after a full week to recharge his energy levels, he was outstanding, especially in the first half.

“He has consistently shown his quality. It’s tough to predict how long players like Sonny can sustain this because they often surpass expectations.

“This is largely due to how they take care of themselves and their professional conduct, maintaining high standards.”

If Tottenham are to realise Postecoglou’s promise of securing a trophy in his second season, they will require a strong finish from Son as the campaign draws to a close.

With only the Europa League remaining as a potential trophy this season, Postecoglou will look to Son for further inspiration against City, especially with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison unavailable.

“Even in what has been a challenging year for us, his contributions still stand out. If you compare him to any winger in the league, he ranks among the top five,” Postecoglou commented.

“For nearly a decade, he has consistently been in the top five as well. Few can match Sonny’s output regularly for his position; he’s in the top 10 percent of players in the Premier League.

“These are the facts, and as long as he keeps performing at this level, there’s no reason for him to slow down.”