Why we want to see Heung-Min Son on the Tottenham right wing

Three Reasons to Move Son to the Right

Heung-Min Son did score Spurs only goal in the team’s most recent loss at home to Manchester United. However, there were also several times when Son got the ball and had space and things just went nowhere, despite having Sergio Reguilón providing support. With a need for some change, somewhere here are three reasons to move Son to the right.

Tottenham needs to let the ball do the work

One of the reasons that ball after ball that went out to Son against Manchester United led to nothing comes from playing as an inverted winger. Essentially the ball would be coming out to Son with it moving toward the Manchester United goal. Instead of pushing the ball further toward the goal, Son would cut back into the middle of the pitch, again and again.

By not running with the ball and letting the ball do the work, it allows the defense to recover and settle while simultaneously slowing the attack. When the inverted wingers get the ball near goal, cut in and score it is great but when a team like Tottenham is seriously lacking service and is far too predictable something has to give, with the wings being the place too many attacks go to die.

There has been very little space in the middle of the pitch for Tottenham with Kane often deep, a player in the attacking midfield position, and two holding midfielders all pushing up centrally. Add in both wings constantly cutting back into the middle and Tottenham waste the corners of the pitch.

Do you know where most players are told to go to try and dribble out time late in the game? Do you know where Tottenham players never go – unless it is an actual corner kick? The corner flag is the answer to both questions. Maybe if Tottenham were to play some players that can naturally cross on the run the service will go up. Maybe if players were willing to dribble to the flag and stretch the defense, the team might hold onto some more leads.

Moving Son right opens a space on the left

One of the problems besides a lack of space in the center of the park for Tottenham is the abundance of left-footed players on the team, yet, none play out there. Gareth Bale, you understand, as a formerly world-class right-wing he kind of has earned that spot, although Son should move in front of the Welshman in this new order.

But when it comes to players like Erik Lamela and Giovani Lo Celso who clearly can only go one direction and use one foot, how can you not play them on the left side? Additionally, Steven Bergwijn’s natural position before coming to Tottenham was left-wing. Despite a hefty investment he has not played there essentially all season.

That gives Tottenham three players, who all like to attack with the ball, who could play out wide left and force the issue. This shift also opens space centrally for players like Lucas Moura and maybe, just maybe Dele Alli to play in the middle of the attack where they are both at their best.

If one move could potentially unlock opportunities for four or five players, it would seem kind of silly not to at least try it.

Son still provides the inverted winger threat

One of the reasons Heung-Min Son has always played out on the left for Tottenham has been his ability to cut in on his wicked right foot and his incredible ambidexterity. There are few players on the planet that are as strong with their weaker foot – in this instance his left – than is Spurs South Korean talisman.

Putting Son on the right would really give Tottenham the best of both worlds and a complete classic winger. Son could run with the ball and push to his stronger foot getting crosses in from the end line. Just as importantly Son would have the option to cut back in – like a left-footed inverted winger – and smash a left-footed blast into the far corner.

Son’s left-footed shot is not going to be mistaken for Gareth Bale’s when he cuts in and puts the ball on his weaker foot. However, much like Harry Kane to even use the words “weaker foot” seems almost criminal given how good both players use their left foot.

Son did score in the last match, so maybe something is about to break. However, Tottenham needs a spark and maybe adding new blood on the left and a new look on the right can do that for a team looking for answers in a season that may be quickly lost if those answers do not come.