Should Tottenham start Son or Lamela against Monaco?
Tottenham attacker Son Heung-Min made a strong case to be included in the Spurs starting XI versus Monaco with two goals at Stoke yesterday. Did he do enough to push Erik Lamela out of the starting lineup?
It’s quite possible that Son played his best game in a Spurs uniform yesterday in Tottenham’s 4-0 bashing of Stoke City. He finally showed off the scoring acumen that caused Tottenham to purchase him from Bayer Leverkusen a year ago. He wasn’t my Man of the Match against the Potters (that nod went to Christian Eriksen), but he was excellent.
Of course, the only reason Son got the starting nod was because of Erik Lamela’s late return from international duty. He only got one day of preparation at White Hart Lane after his appearance for Argentina. The quick turnaround opened the door for Son to slide into the starting XI.
To Son’s credit, he took full advantage of his opportunity. He looked very much like the player Spurs fans thought their club acquired last summer. He was industrious, quick and vicious with his clinical finishing. Scoring more than two goals on the day certainly wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for the Korean star.
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There’s no question that he is heading into the Champions League match versus Monaco in top form. Some will believe that qualifies him to start against the Ligue 1 club. I still think he’s ticketed for a spot on the bench for Tottenham’s Champions League opener.
Erik Lamela is still the right choice to get the starting nod. He hasn’t played a single match as well as Son’s effort at Stoke, but his consistent play should give him the edge. He’s been one of Mauricio Pochettino’s top performers all season long. One match isn’t going to knock him out of his manager’s starting XI.
The good news for Spurs fans is now Son has established himself as a legitimate threat off the bench. Two weeks ago Pochettino was forced to rely on the talented, but inexperienced Josh Onomah as his first attacking option off the bench. Now he’ll be able to turn to a player with legitimate Champions League experience.
Son Heung-Min may be able to force his way into the Spurs starting XI this season, but he hasn’t earned that sort of honor yet. Look for the Korean star to be dropped in favor of Erik Lamela for Tottenham’s match versus Monaco.
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