Poch: This is reason Son has been axed from Tottenham XI and replaced by Lamela

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

13 Feb 2018, 1:57 pm

By Richard Parks

Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that Son Heung-Min has been axed from the Tottenham team for their Champions League showdown against Juventus because of Erik Lamela's greater experience of playing against Italian teams. The Spurs manager has sprung a shock in his starting XI selection for the last-16 first leg clash in Turin by axing in-form Son. The South Korean, 24, has been a regular starter for Tottenham this season, including in their impressive recent performances against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. But Son is one of two omissions from the side that beat Arsenal 1-0 on Saturday, with Kieran Trippier also making way as Serge Aurier and Lamela return to the starting XI. Pochettino explained that former Roma star Lamela is the ideal man to play against the Serie A champions, who were runners-up in last season's Champions League. "Lamela knows what it means to play here against Juventus and we believe this experience will help the team," said Pochettino before kick-off, as quoted by the official Tottenham Twitter account.

🗣️ Mauricio: "@ErikLamela knows what it means to play here against Juventus and we believe this experience will help the team." #COYS pic.twitter.com/8NU3Obmd0B
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 13, 2018

Son has scored 11 goals and supplied eight assists from 36 Tottenham matches this season, including three goals from just five Champions League fixtures. By contrast, fellow attacking midfielder Lamela scored his first goal last week since September 2016, which was his only strike in 16 appearances this season.

In other Tottenham news, Daniel Levy has jetted off on a transatlantic mission to seal a sensational £20million-a-year Spurs deal.

Don’t miss out on breaking and exclusive Tottenham news by clicking here for our brilliant 24/7 updates on

and