Son Heung-min could miss at least four matches for Tottenham in the new year after being called up to South Korea’s AFC Asian Cup squad.
Spurs will potentially be without Son for games in three separate competitions in January.
Why is Son set to miss Spurs matches in January? Five key things to know
- Son missed the beginning of the club season as he was competing for his country at the Asian Games, where he won gold and earned exemption from mandatory military service.
- His participation at the Asian Games was part of an agreement struck between South Korea and Tottenham.
- According to the Independent, Spurs agreed to let Son play at the Asian Games on the condition he misses the group stages of the Asian Cup in January.
- The 26-year-old will join up with South Korea after Tottenham’s Premier League encounter with Man United on January 13.
- Son will miss the EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea, the fourth round of the FA Cup (if Spurs are in it) and league matches against Fulham, Watford and possibly Newcastle United.
Tottenham announced Son’s call-up on Thursday morning via social media. A tweet read: “Sonny has been called up to the South Korea squad for the AFC Asian Cup in January 2019.
“He will join up with the squad following our match against Manchester United on Sunday 13 January.”
Son will only miss the league meeting with Newcastle on February 2 if South Korea make it to the final of the Asian Cup.
How important is Son to Spurs?
Son has proven himself to be an integral member of Mauricio Pochettino’s side since arriving in the summer of 2015.
Following a mixed first year in England, in which he scored eight goals in 40 appearances, the former Bayer Leverkusen forward has found the net 45 times in 121 games over the last three seasons.
He made a slow start to the current campaign as a result of his participation at the Asian Games.
But Son’s strike against Arsenal in the EFL Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night was his sixth goal of the season.
Many Tottenham fans were disappointed to hear Son will spend yet another period away from the club.
they should play more tournaments. 23467886 per season isn't enough.
— Ben Harris (@_Ben_Harris) December 20, 2018
Can someone not give this man a day off
— Harry C (@HazSpur92) December 20, 2018
As a Korean citizen and also Spurs’ fan, I feel sorry to other Spurs’ fans. But our national team need Sonny! He is the captain of our team. Korea did not get the AFC Champion for 59yrs. But finally our national team got the best squad! Please wish Korea to be champ! With Sonny!!
— cho_i_c_e_ (@Fly4anp) December 20, 2018
He'll be a Big miss for us..but good luck Son
— H Patterson (@theduke20011) December 20, 2018
Just when he started finding some form!
— Alex (@LxcasMoura) December 20, 2018
Give him some rest!
— Devansh (@DevanshTHFC) December 20, 2018
Better than national service but he will be such a miss for us!
— Rachel Martin (@RachelVMartin) December 20, 2018
That’s a joke. He’s exempt of military service and it clashes with our fixtures. That’s the second leg of the Chelsea game that he’s missing
— LP ✈️ (@thfclp) December 20, 2018
What the hell is this?! How many tournaments do they have?! All this does is make him miss the Carabao SF and the winter break
— Mr Spurfect II (@MrOKanenas) December 20, 2018
Just missing half a season with us okay.
— Daniel Linley (@D_Linley) December 20, 2018
The post EXPLAINED: Why Son is set to miss four Spurs games in January appeared first on Squawka News.
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