This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Son Heung-min was in poor form despite Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-2 win over Olympiacos on Tuesday evening.
On the chalkboard
The South Korea international has usually been such a reliable presence on the left flank – he has scored nine goals in all competitions this term – but flattered to deceive under Jose Mourinho against the Greek giants.
Spurs, of course, fell 2-0 behind but rallied to win 4-2 thanks to goals from Dele Alli and Serge Aurier and a Harry Kane brace.
Per WhoScored, Son had 45 touches of the ball throughout the 90 minutes but completed just one dribble, despite attempting four, and was also dribbled past on two occasions.
He was dispossessed on three occasions and had just one shot on target throughout the encounter, while he did inadvertently assist Serge Aurier’s sweet half-volleyed strike, as his attempted header fell into the path of the right-back.
This was a disappointing display from a player who can be so electric going forward.
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A passenger
Mourinho showed that he can be as ruthless as ever on Tuesday as he substituted Eric Dier after just 29 minutes to replace him with Christian Eriksen.
It remains a surprise then that Son was not hooked later on, too.
He did not do anything of note as he repeatedly attempted to move the ball forward, failing to beat his man on repeated occasions and never finding himself in a position to really trouble Jose Sa in the Olympiacos goal.
This is something of a one-off, though, with Son having scored against West Ham United at the weekend.
Mourinho will surely be hoping that this is merely a blip but Son has certainly blotted his copybook with this placid display.
He can ill-afford to fall into a rut under his new manager.
Meanwhile, Spurs fans have laid into another player for his display against Olympiacos.
