Tottenham Hotspur will be without their captain, Son Heung-min, for Thursday’s Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar.
The South Korean forward is dealing with soreness after Saturday’s 4-1 victory over West Ham in the Premier League, where he scored but was substituted after 70 minutes.
Son recently returned from a hamstring injury to start in the London derby, but Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Son will be rested for the European tie. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Postecoglou addressed the decision:
“Sonny was a bit sore after the weekend, and he was never going to be involved tomorrow anyway because he missed a bit. We’re just leaving him out of tomorrow’s game and will see how he is after that.”
Postecoglou emphasized that Son’s absence is precautionary and aimed at ensuring his availability for Tottenham’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Son has been a key figure for Spurs this season, helping them secure their current position near the top of the Premier League table.
Despite Son’s absence, Postecoglou remains optimistic about his team’s chances in the Europa League. The North London club has started their campaign strongly, winning their first two matches against Qarabag and Ferenvaros. The manager highlighted the importance of building momentum in Europe while also developing younger talents:
“We’ve started the competition really well. Whenever you play away in Europe, it’s a different challenge. We’ve exposed our younger players to European football, which is a positive. We weren’t in Europe last year, and I thought we missed it. We’ve started well but there’s still a long way to go. One step at a time for us.”
Another player in the spotlight for Thursday’s match is Dutch defender Micky van de Ven, who will face a side from his homeland. The 22-year-old has impressed since joining Spurs and has been integral to their strong start this season. Postecoglou praised Van de Ven’s rapid development and maturity:
“With Micky, it’s fair to say he developed late but very quickly. Even at Volendam, there was a period when they were a bit unsure. For us, last year he was outstanding in his first year in the Premier League. He’s growing all the time, maturing, and I think playing with the national team will give him even more belief.”
While Spurs will miss Son’s presence, the team will be hoping for another strong performance as they look to maintain their 100% record in the Europa League. Tottenham’s next European outing will be crucial in securing their place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
As Spurs prepare for their clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Son’s recovery will be closely monitored. Tottenham fans will be eager to see their captain back in action soon, leading the charge in both domestic and European competitions.