It has been claimed that a combination with James Maddison (29, Tottenham) is needed to maximize Son Heung-min's (33, Tottenham) performance.
British media outlet 'Football FanCast' noted on the 31st (Korean time) that "For Tottenham to bounce back in the away match against Chelsea, Son Heung-min's performance is key. Coach Postecoglou must start Maddison, who resembles Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)."
Tottenham has seen a dip in form, recording 1 draw and 2 losses in the last three Premier League matches, and is currently in 14th place. They are in urgent need of a turnaround in the away game against Chelsea on the 4th in the 30th round of the 2023-2024 season.
Tottenham also faces the challenge of breaking free from its poor record against Chelsea. Last season, Tottenham lost both encounters with Chelsea, and in this season's first match, they lost 3-4. The last victory in an away match against Chelsea dates back to February 1990. They have not won in 35 years.
'Football FanCast' emphasized that "Son Heung-min's role is crucial in changing this trend." Son Heung-min has played various positions this season, not only as a left winger but also as a central striker. He has scored 7 goals and provided 10 assists in 26 league matches, with consistent performance resulting in a total of 11 goals and 12 assists in 40 matches this season.
However, his influence has somewhat diminished due to reduced playing time recently. In the previous match against Fulham, he was benched. Son Heung-min expressed his disappointment indirectly, stating, "I am maintaining my best condition. The coach made that decision for a better situation."
'Football FanCast' named Maddison as the most compatible partner for Son Heung-min. While Dejan Kulusevski or Lucas Moura could be alternatives, the analysis suggests that Maddison has shown the best synergy with Son Heung-min. The two players have played together in 59 matches, combining for 9 goals. Notably, in the UEFA Europa League match against Hoffenheim, Son Heung-min scored 2 goals, and Maddison contributed 1 goal and 1 assist, demonstrating their strong chemistry.
Maddison's creativity is also noteworthy. According to statistics site FBref, Maddison attempts 8.27 forward passes per game, which ranks in the top 5% among Premier League midfielders. He also creates shooting opportunities at a rate of 0.94 per game, placing him in the top 2%.
'Football FanCast' advised that "Maddison can take over the role that Kane played at Tottenham in the past. After receiving the ball in midfield, he can deliver precise passes into the spaces where Son Heung-min makes runs" and that "if the goal is to revive Son Heung-min's skills, making Maddison a starter would be the wisest choice for Coach Postecoglou."
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