Son Heung-min played a pivotal role in Tottenham’s 2-2 Europa League draw against Roma, scoring the opener but missing other key chances.
Despite his contributions, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has expressed concerns over Son’s fitness and the team’s thinning squad.
After subbing Son off in the 78th minute, Postecoglou admitted the South Korean star is still regaining full fitness following a disrupted season.
“We’re quite thin in those wide areas, so he’s playing, but we’ve got to make sure we are careful with him,” Postecoglou said. “He’s getting back to full fitness, which is the main thing for us.”
Injuries to Richarlison, Mikey Moore, and Wilson Odobert have left Spurs stretched thin on the wings, while other areas of the squad are also depleted.
Postecoglou emphasized the need to manage Son, alongside Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner, to avoid further setbacks.
Tottenham had numerous chances to secure the win, hitting the post three times and having shots cleared off the line.
Brennan Johnson added a second goal, continuing his impressive form, but an injury-time equalizer from Mats Hummels denied Spurs all three points.
Postecoglou remained optimistic but highlighted the lack of a clinical edge:
“There were quite a few really good chances. A bit more composure would have finished the game off,” he said.
Spurs are contending with a jam-packed December schedule, with nine games across the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Europa League. High-profile clashes against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United will test the squad’s resilience.
The manager revealed the extent of their current struggles:
“We had four kids on the bench tonight, so we couldn’t even fill the quota. It is what it is. We’ve been dealing with this for a while.”
Tottenham remains ninth in the Europa League table, just outside automatic qualification for the knockout stages. Postecoglou reflected on their campaign so far:
“Overall, this whole European competition, we’ve had challenges within the first five games, but we’re in a strong position, and that’s the main thing.”
With injuries mounting and a challenging schedule ahead, Tottenham’s ability to manage their squad effectively will be key to maintaining momentum.
Postecoglou’s focus on balancing player fitness and performance will be crucial as Spurs push for success on multiple fronts.