In order to break Son Heung-min's (33) slump, it has been argued that James Maddison (29, Tottenham) should be utilized as a starter.
'Football Fan Cast' reported on March 31 (Korean time), "Tottenham absolutely needs Son Heung-min's performance to turn things around in their away match against Chelsea. To revive him, Maddison, who evokes memories of Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), should be put in the starting lineup."
Tottenham has yet to win in its last three Premier League matches, recording 1 draw and 2 losses. They are in urgent need of a turnaround ahead of the 30th round of the league away match against Chelsea in the 2023-2024 season.
On April 4 at 4 a.m., Tottenham will face Chelsea at London Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham bears the burden of unfavorable matchups against Chelsea. They lost both matchups last season and were also defeated 3-4 in their first meeting this season. The last victory at Chelsea away dates back to February 1990, and it has been 35 years without a win.
'Football Fan Cast' claimed, "Son Heung-min must recover his form for Tottenham to win."
Son Heung-min has been alternating between playing as a winger and a forward this season. He has been covering various positions. In the Premier League, he has scored 7 goals and provided 10 assists in 26 matches, and has consistently recorded attacking points with 11 goals and 12 assists in a total of 40 matches across all competitions.
However, the recent reduction in playing time has somewhat diminished his influence. He was left out of the starting lineup in the recent match against Fulham. Son Heung-min indirectly expressed dissatisfaction about this, stating, "I am maintaining my best condition. The coach made a decision considering a better situation."
'Football Fan Cast' identified Maddison as the 'optimal partner' to revive Son Heung-min. While Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Moura are also mentioned as alternatives, Maddison is evaluated as the best fit alongside Son Heung-min.
Son Heung-min and Maddison have played together in 59 matches, combining for 9 goals. Notably, in a European match against Hoffenheim, Son Heung-min scored multiple goals while Maddison contributed 1 goal and 1 assist, showcasing fantastic synergy.
Maddison's creativity is considered a weapon to elevate Son Heung-min's scoring ability. According to the statistics site FBref, Maddison averages 8.27 forward passes per match, placing him in the top 5% among Premier League midfielders.
'Football Fan Cast' evaluated, "Maddison can partially substitute for the role that Kane used to play," adding, "He is a resource that can supply accurate passes to Son Heung-min when he penetrates after receiving the ball in midfield."
They continued, "If Coach Postecoglou wants to revive Son Heung-min's performance, utilizing Maddison as a starter would be the best option."
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