'Captain' Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) might sit on the bench in the final where his first victory is at stake.
The British outlet Football London reported on the 20th (Korean time) that "Richarlison or Son Heung-min, a new formation. Ange Postecoglou is likely to make slight changes to the Tottenham team in the Europa League final."
Tottenham will face Manchester United in the 2024-2025 season UEFA Europa League (UEL) final at 4 a.m. on the 22nd at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, Spain. The two teams, currently ranked 17th and 16th in the Premier League, will compete for the European trophy.
This final is an opportunity that both Tottenham and Son Heung-min cannot miss. Tottenham has not reached the top since winning the League Cup in the 2007-2008 season. They must break a 17-year trophy drought this time.
Son Heung-min, known for his 'third-time lucky' mentality, is burning with desire for victory more than anyone else. Having joined Tottenham in 2015, he has scored 173 goals in 451 matches, but he has lost both finals he has reached. He was defeated 0-2 by Liverpool in the 2018-2019 UEFA Champions League (UCL) final and finished as runner-up after losing to Manchester City in the League Cup final in the 2020-2021 season, shedding tears.
This time, Son Heung-min dreams of a different outcome. However, there are claims that he might start on the bench. Football London noted that "Postecoglou has been dealing with injuries leading up to the biggest game of the season, just as he has throughout the season. Key players James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are unavailable for the match, as well as Lucas Bergvall."
Therefore, it is possible that Coach Postecoglou may change the 4-3-3 formation he has primarily used. The media questioned, "There are doubts about whether Postecoglou will maintain the 4-3-3 system. If he does, Pape Sarr could benefit from it," adding, "If Sarr comes in, it could be bad news for the wings, where Richarlison or Son Heung-min play. The captain Son Heung-min has proven his fitness in the last two matches, but it seems that Postecoglou is saving Richarlison for the final."
There is also a possibility that Coach Postecoglou could opt for a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation. Football London speculated, "One way to use both Richarlison and Son Heung-min as starters is the 4-4-2 formation," where Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson could take the flanks while Dominic Solanke and Richarlison form a two-striker setup. Additionally, in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Son Heung-min could play as an attacking midfielder.
The possibility of a surprising three-back formation appears low. Tottenham used a three-back formation against Everton last January but suffered a shocking defeat. At that time, Tottenham conceded three goals in the first half and only managed to score two in the second half. Football London emphasized that "Postecoglou's three-back system was not effective against Everton because the players were not familiar with it."
The decision on whether Son Heung-min starts is being debated among not only Football London but other British media as well. 'The Athletic' highlighted, "Son Heung-min has been out for over a month due to a foot injury. He was vibrant in the first half of his comeback match against Villa. However, he has been underperforming this season and has slowed down too many times in his attacking pace," adding, "It would be unfortunate if Son Heung-min does not lift a trophy with Tottenham, but emotions should not interfere with the starting decision."
In contrast, it was suggested that winger Wilson Odobert, born in 2004, should be included in the starting lineup. The media stated, "Attacking the Manchester United center-backs with fast players like Odobert or Mathis Tell would be very appealing. I would recommend Odobert," noting, "Odobert has dribbling skills that can bypass defenders to create space for his teammates, which will be very important in the absence of Maddison and Kulusevski."
On the other hand, 'The Telegraph' strongly asserted that Coach Postecoglou must start Son Heung-min. The media emphasized, "Tottenham has shown better form without Son Heung-min. However, he must start in the final. There are opinions suggesting that loyal captain Son Heung-min should be excluded from the starting lineup based on performance and fitness, but his experience and desire for victory cannot be overlooked."
Additionally, The Telegraph stated, "Son Heung-min should start against Manchester United and get the opportunity to inscribe his name in the club's winning history. Son Heung-min is a superstar that Postecoglou should trust. Tottenham has been lacking creativity since Dejan Kulusevski's absence, but Son Heung-min is a player who can create something from nothing. He is also a leader missing from Tottenham."
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min has declared that he is ready to start. In an official press conference held the day before the match, he stated, "I am ready. After returning from injury, I played in the Palace match and ran for about 70 minutes in the Villa match. I didn't expect to run that much, but I was able to do it. I am physically prepared and completely ready to play. All the players are prepared for the most important match of the season."
He also expressed his exceptional determination for victory. Son Heung-min stated, "Both the team and I are ready. This final is really special, and it will be a historic moment. During my 10 years at Tottenham, no one has lifted a trophy. I also want to win. It is undoubtedly a day that is really important for the club, the players, and me."
He added, "Whether morning or late at night, I truly appreciate all the support you give me and our team. Fans are always there and cheering us on. So I want to give something back to the fans. I hope that tomorrow we can celebrate with a smile and gift a trophy and an unforgettable historic moment. It would be great to rejoice and celebrate together," expressing gratitude to Korean fans.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), Europa League, Tottenham, Sky Sports, B/R Football social media.
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