More bad news for Tottenham following defeat to Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur lost more than a match when they fell to Chelsea midweek in the Carabao Cup, as star Heung-min Son picked up a knock and is going to be out. 

There was no real insight into this injury immediately following the game. However, according to coach Antonio Conte, Son was complaining about muscle soreness and then a scan showed the extent of the South Korean’s injury, which will keep Son out until the end of January.

Bad time for another Tottenham injury

This is a bad time for an injury like this, as Son, who just was again named Asian player of the year,  has been one of Spurs more consistent performers in an up-and-down season. Making matters worse, Spurs forward will be out of some very important contests.

At a minimum, it is expected that Son misses the Morecambe match this weekend, the Carabao Cup return leg against Chelsea. After Leicester City was rescheduled for Wednesday 19 January, Son will be missing three big Premier League games as well. Spurs play Arsenal, in the north London derby, followed by a trip to Leicester, and then across town to Stamford Bridge before the next international break.

On a good note, both Arsenal and Chelsea should still be missing players from AFCON and Jamie Vardy is out for Leicester for the foreseeable future as well. However, it seems those teams have some cover for their losses, whereas Spurs are paper thin and are likely to miss Son in a major way.

Thus far this season, Son has been in the starting XI 94% of the time for Spurs and has played 92% of the available minutes, according to transfermarkt.com. Add in the fact that his eight goals and four assists help account for more than half of Spurs Premier League tally and we know Spurs may be in for a rough run.

Big opportunity for Bryan Gil?

The primary backup option for Son heading into the season was Steven Bergwijn, but the Dutchman has had his own injury issues and has been less available than more of late. This means Spaniard Bryan Gil may finally get a chance to show his stuff for Spurs.

Thus far this season Gil has received mostly substitute minutes but has looked good at times in terms of showing the ability to create chances. With Son out and Bergwijn still recovering this may be Gil’s big chance.

Alternatively, Conte may switch formations and go with a five-man midfield and only two attackers, in which case, Lucas Moura likely stays up front with Kane.

Either way, Conte and Tottenham have big shoes to fill over the next few weeks, as the loss of Son is huge for Spurs. Let’s hope players can step up and Tottenham can overcome.