“My Decision is Made”- Postecoglou refuses to rule out shock Tottenham start for teen sensation in Son Heung-min injury update
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that a late decision will be made regarding the fitness of captain Son Heung-min ahead of their Premier League clash against Manchester United on Sunday. Son, who started in Thursday’s Europa League opener against Qarabag, had to be substituted after picking up a hamstring injury in the 71st minute, making way for Timo Werner. Despite the setback, Tottenham still secured a comfortable 3-0 victory, despite being reduced to 10 men.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated match at Old Trafford, Postecoglou expressed hope that Son’s injury isn’t too serious. The South Korean star is set to undergo further assessment, and his ability to train on Saturday will be a key factor in determining his availability for the upcoming fixture.
“Fair to say the lads who were out there on Thursday put in a strong shift. Apart from Sonny, everyone came through it in good shape,” Postecoglou said. “Sonny doesn’t seem too bad at the moment. He’s keen to train tomorrow, so we’ll see how things go and make a final call after that. We’ve got an extra day to give him every chance to recover.”
If Son is unable to feature, Postecoglou has two main alternatives to step into his position—Timo Werner, who replaced him midweek, and rising star Mikey Moore. When asked about whether Moore, a promising young talent, is ready to start, Postecoglou gave an encouraging response.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out with Mikey. We’ll first see how Sonny is doing, and we’ll take it from there. With Wilson Odobert and Richy (Richarlison) both out, it limits our options a bit, but Timo and Mikey are definitely in the mix. Deki Kulusevski can also play out wide, so we’ve got options. It all hinges on how Sonny feels tomorrow.”
Son’s future has also come under the spotlight this week, following his comments regarding his contract situation ahead of the Qarabag game. The forward revealed that no new talks had been held over a contract extension, even though his current deal is set to expire next summer. However, Tottenham holds the option to extend his contract by an additional year, a move that many expect the club to trigger.
Postecoglou, who has been impressed with Son’s leadership and performances, made it clear he would like the 32-year-old to remain at the club for what would be his 10th season. “I may not have the final say in these matters, but I believe my opinion holds weight,” the Australian coach remarked. “Sonny’s contributions on and off the pitch have been outstanding, and I’d certainly like to see him stay longer.”
In transfer news, Tottenham is reportedly considering a move for Inter Milan’s highly-regarded forward Marcus Thuram. Thuram, who joined Inter on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2023, has been in stellar form since his arrival in Italy. However, Tottenham faces stiff competition for his signature, with Premier League rivals Aston Villa also keen on the French international.
Additionally, Postecoglou reassured fans that Lucas Bergvall, one of their summer signings, will have ample opportunities to prove himself, despite being substituted early during the Qarabag match. Bergvall was forced off after just 10 minutes when Tottenham was reduced to 10 men following Radu Dragusin’s red card. Although disappointed to leave the field so early, Postecoglou has promised the Swedish youngster that he will feature prominently over the course of the season.
“Bergvall is a young player with immense potential, and this is just the start for him,” Postecoglou said. “He was understandably disappointed to come off so soon, but there will be plenty of chances for him to show what he can do. We’ve got a long season ahead, and he’s very much a part of our plans.”