When news of Son Heung-min‘s muscle injury broke this morning, Tottenham supporters took a long, collective apprehensive breath.
Tottenham’s most valuable player is expected to miss almost a month of action with what, at this inchoate stage, is only being described as a muscle injury.
The injury comes at a particularly inopportune time for Antonio Conte, who is readying his side for a top four push. Son’s injury setback will invariably present an opportunity for somebody else to come in and prove their worth to the team.
These options do not take into account any transfer reinforcements that may, or may not, be forthcoming in the coming weeks.
Here’s Conte’s options while Son recovers from his latest injury setback.
Left-sided Spanish connection
Antonio Conte has recently shown growing faith in Spanish youngster Bryan Gil, who has made cameo appearances off the bench in four consecutive matches, including in Wednesday’s semifinal defeat at Chelsea. Prior to that Gil was impacted by Covid-19 and was temporarily unavailable.
Gil being provided his chance to start could be Conte’s preferred option in Sonny’s absence. Though he might have to pivot quickly if the experiment doesn’t bear fruit. Gil would play on the left side of the front three with compatriot Sergio Reguilon patrolling his usual left wingback role in support.
This option would allow Conte to maintain his preferred 3-4-3 system. While Gil contributed consistently off the bench in December, he hasn’t yet been provided the opportunity to make an impact as a member of the starting 11. There’s a good chance GIl will now get his chance to shine alongside Lucas Moura and Harry Kane. The big question is whether the 20-year-old is ready to take it.
The Dele Alli option
Again, this is assuming Dele Alli isn’t going anywhere, a more likely outcome considering Sonny’s latest development. Dele enjoyed a solid outing in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool, but followed it up with a substandard performance against Southampton. Against Southampton Conte employed a slightly altered 3-4-2-1 formation in which Dele played on the right side of the advanced two. Sonny played on the left. Dele endured an inefficient match and was eventually withdrawn in the 62nd minute.
Against Liverpool Dele was part of the three-man midfield in Conte’s 5-3-2 formation. The five at the back morphed more often into a three, with the two wingbacks playing in a more advanced position. Dele played on the left side of the trio in central midfield, but was given a freer role in which he frequently supported Kane and Sonny in an almost quasi No. 10 role. In that system he was effective, though a number of Liverpool’s first-team missed out due to Covid-19 or injury.
If Conte decides to give Dele another shot in the starting team, a distinct possibility, will he alter the formation to suit the English midfielder?
Dele’s best position is as a roaming No. 10, where he supports the front man (or men) and isn’t expected to relentlessly track back and defend. But that would mean Conte would probably have to switch to a 3-4-1-2 or, like he did against Southampton, employ a 3-4-2-1, which didn’t have its desired impact.
While he can play on the left side of Conte’s customary 3-4-3, his influence in that role has historically underwhelmed.
The Giovani Lo Celso or Tanguy Ndombele option
After another injury layoff, Giovani Lo Celso is again available for first team selection. Sonny’s absence could give the Argentinian his chance to come back into the first team. He would play in a more advanced central role. Lo Celso has experience in an advanced dynamic but has struggled to make a tangible offensive impact.
In theory, Ndombele presents a better option for Conte. Unfortunately Ndombele hasn’t impressed the new gaffer since his arrival, so it will interesting to see whether Conte is willing to give the Frenchman one last chance in the first team. Ndombele enjoyed a strong second half off the bench against Chelsea on Wednesday and has the skill set to replace Sonny while the South Korean is out.
However, Conte will not accept any passengers in his side. And while Ndombele has the skillset to contribute offensively, he will be expected to track back and put in the hard yards on the defensive side of the ball. Only time will tell if Ndombele is willing to commit to such hard graft.
The Ryan Sessegnon & Sergio Reguilon option
This option sees Ryan Sessegnon start as Tottenham’s left wingback and Sergio Reguilon play in a more advanced role, as part of the front three. Or vice versa, where Reguilon patrols his usual left wingback role and Sessegnon directly replaces Sonny on the left side of the front three.
It’s an option Conte will be less likely to employ, particularly as he won’t want to use both of his first choice left sided players in the same match. He’ll prefer to rotate them and have one available each week, as a contingency and to keep one fresh. However, if Sonny is only out for three weeks, this could be a viable alternative for Conte. Sessegnon should now be available after returning from a muscle injury.
The Steven Bergwijn option
After injuring his calf recently, Bergwijn is still unavailable. So this will only be an option if he returns to action in the coming week or so.
We’ve all seen this option before. It’s a straight, like-for-like swap. Alongside Kane and Moura, he’ll come straight into the team as the left sided attacking midfielder. All of these options are predicated on these players staying at Tottenham. The Dutchman has shown improvement in recent outings and was instrumental in Spurs’ recent Carabao Cup quarterfinal win over West Ham.