Tottenham secured another three points in their ongoing race for a spot in the top four when West Ham travelled to N17. Antonio Conte’s side claimed a 3-1 victory against David Moyes’ side, who had qualified for the Europa League quarter-final just a few days before. Despite this dip, the South Korean has still managed to make some impact in front of goal, producing two goals in his last four Premier League games before West Ham. However, since his return from injury he has looked tired in games and after the Brighton match, there were a few questions raised over whether he could even be given a rest for a couple of matches. This was quickly shut down by Conte, ahead of the fixture against The Irons.
Antonio Conte said: “For me, Sonny is an important player. A player who can move a result in the end. It can happen that a player can be in not the best form or a period that he’s not playing so well, because we’re talking a player who plays every game, but for me, he is playing well and that doesn’t depend if a player scores a goal or not. For me, it’s about their performance totally. Sonny is a player in my thoughts and in my plan and that’s also for his commitment. So he has to start. I don’t have an idea to drop him. Honestly, no. It doesn’t happen. I’m not crazy to do something like this.”
Son has been a fan favourite for a number of years and has also been praised by a number of Spurs managers.
Jose Mourinho said:”I have to admit that Harry and Sonny are world class players and on the top of what they do they have a very good sense of the team. They have a very good sense of the balance that they need and they also do incredible tactical work for the team when the team doesn’t have the ball. So top players, amazing.” For Son to then not only score two goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a London derby, but also produce a solid display, was crucial for him ahead of the international break.
Much like a number of the Tottenham team, it was the consistency in his recent performances that had become a struggle for the 29-year-old. Sunday’s game ended any negative talk with his three shots, 91.9 per cent passing accuracy and six crosses. Son’s goal celebrations suggested a sense of relief and excitement with his own performance and Conte was then asked about it in his post match press conference.
Antonio Conte said: “It is always very difficult when you have an important player and you know very well that during a season there are different periods and sometimes you have a lot of confidence and everything you try to do on the pitch you are able to do and sometimes the confidence can go down but the important player, the top player is good to manage this moment and Sonny you’re talking about a player who is really, really good, an important player but at the same time a good person. He suffers if the performance is not good but especially if we don’t get three points. I think this must be our first thing, not to think to yourself but to think for the team. I’m playing not so good and it’s a pity for the team not only for yourself, but I repeat about him he is an important player for us and he showed today that he is an important player.”
Throughout Sunday’s match, Son was making runs whenever he could to help his side in attack and tracking back when his side needed defensive help. He failed to stick with Said Benrahma for West Ham’s goal but that didn’t dampen the impact he had in the rest of the game.
