Insider: Tottenham have taken major Heung-min Son ‘gamble’ after latest
Heung-min Son’s participation in the World Cup was a “gamble” but it appears to have paid off for Tottenham.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
Son’s participation in the tournament was in doubt after he suffered a fracture in his face during Spurs’ 2-1 win over Marseille last month (1 November).
As quoted by Goal earlier this week (6 December), the 30-year-old revealed he would likely have to continue wearing his protective mask when the Premier League resumes but will have “discussions” with his doctor about his next steps.
“I think he needs to rest and recuperate first and foremost,” Dinnery told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.
“Take your mind away from football or just enjoy the spectacle of the World Cup without the pressure.
“It’s been a fairly intensive few weeks for Son, particularly since he suffered that injury in the Champions League. There was a lot of media attention about whether he would or wouldn’t go to Qatar then there’s the pressure of playing for his national team, he’s the starman.
“He’s had to deal with a lot so he’ll enjoy that opportunity just to rest.
“He will have discussions in regards to possibly removing that protective mask but it’s still fairly early days with that injury.
“Had it not been the World Cup, maybe he wouldn’t have been involved in a competitive environment. It’s always a gamble but one that he seems to have come through relatively unscathed.
“Psychologically, the fact that he had that fracture and subsequent surgery will have been in the back of his mind.
“Those discussions on whether he should return to play will have centred around potential setbacks and the risks of another hit in and around the ear.
“It’s just a few more weeks for the healing process to advance and he’s had that match fitness and intensity that keeps him ticking over and ready for Tottenham.”
In other news, a young Tottenham attacker has arrived at his new club after being told to leave.