Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino insists he’s not interested in who wins between Liverpool and Manchester City at the Etihad and that he just wants to enjoy the spectacle.
Wolves put a dent in Spurs’ title challenge with a resurgent second half performance to take all 3 points away from Wembley.
Wolves put a dent in Spurs’ title challenge with a resurgent second half performance to take all 3 points away from Wembley.
Son Heung-min is “sorry” his participation in the upcoming Asian Cup will come at the expense of helping Tottenham maintain their title challenge in the Premier League.
Son might be in the form of his career, having scored eight goals in his last nine games as Tottenham moved into second place in the league and into serious contention for the title.
He will play one more league game — against Manchester United on Jan. 13 — before leaving for international duty at the tournament in the United Arab Emirates. He could be away for up to five of Tottenham’s matches in all competitions if South Korea reach the Feb. 1 final in Abu Dhabi.
Son also missed the first part of the league season while playing for South Korea at the Asian Games where he led the team to the title and secured himself an exemption from military service in the process.
“Of course I feel very sorry because I miss already in September,” said Son, speaking after scoring his latest goal in Tottenham’s 3-0 win at Cardiff.
“I feel sorry for my teammates, the fans and the coaching staff. It’s difficult. Sometimes you think it’s a bit sad, but it is also important for my country. I hope I can keep my form for the national team and when I come back here again as well.”
Son is likely to miss league games against Fulham, Watford and Newcastle, as well as the second leg of Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semifinal against Chelsea.
Spurs would want Son back in time for the Feb. 10 match against Leicester in the league, but there’s a chance he’d be tired after his exertions in the UAE where South Korea heads in as the favourite. After all, he struggled on his return from the Asian Games.
“I was tired after the Asian Games because in that tournament I was playing after [every] two or three days,” Son said. “It is very important to be right mentally at the Asian Cup and to come back with a strong mind and be strong physically.
“It [November] was a turning point for me because I was tired and I didn’t travel. It was good to have this time, some days off, and hard sessions with the team. But the Asian Cup is big for us because we have not won it for 59 years.”
The Asian Cup starts on Saturday. However, South Korea and Tottenham have agreed that Son only needs to link up with his international teammates in time for the start of the knockout stage.
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