TalkSPORT pundit Dean Saunders has claimed Tottenham Hotspur have one 'suffering' player in their ranks, and it's big name forward Son Heung-min.
The Lowdown: Son mis-firing...
The 30-year-old has been one of Spurs' most crucial players over the last few seasons but has got off to a slow start so far this campaign.
As per WhoScored, Son finished 2021/22 as manager Antonio Conte's best-performing player by average match rating - not to mention their top Premier League goal scorer with 23 and seven assists.
However, the South Korea international star is yet to open his account in any competition so far and currently ranks ninth for performances out of Tottenham's whole squad.
The Latest: Son 'suffering'...
Speaking to talkSPORT, Saunders claims the winger is 'suffering' under Conte.
He explained:
“I think Son is suffering at the moment for Spurs, and it is a similar thing that happened when I was at Blackburn.
“We had Damian Duff, he played on the left and scored 15 goals, and went to Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, and he had him working back helping Ashley Cole all afternoon.
“He ended up not getting as many goals, but he did have lots more trophies in his cabinet, and lots more money in the bank.
“You might just have to say to Son, look, you can’t play the way you used to, where you were floating on the half-way line when we are defending, and we get the ball to you and you’re off.
“You have to run back, we are a new Spurs team, we are not the flimsy Spurs team that would win one game, and then get beat in an other.”
The Verdict: Temporary form?
It's clear Son has the class to resurrect his current run and display the flashes of brilliance supporters are more-than familiar with.
That being said, the former Bundesliga star will not want this damp period to go on for much longer with Richarlison chomping at the bit to get a first XI place, and Conte will be praying his star player can start showcasing the very best of his ability.
Spurs would not have finished in the top four without Son at his very best last year and they'll need that kind of inspiration to repeat their European qualification heroics.