Ange Postecoglou says Spurs star was so eager to get back from international duty

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed just how eager Son Heung-min was to get back to Hotspur Way after the Asian Cup.

The Spurs boss, speaking to football.london, admits that the club captain was “spent” after his campaign with South Korea, which ended at the semi-final stage.

Son, who led his nation in every minute of the competition which included two knockouts that went to extra-time, reported back at Hotspur Way on Thursday.

His return to North London came just two days before Tottenham’s next fixture, Saturday’s 3pm Premier League meeting with Brighton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

When players return from international duty straight into the thick of club action, it’s never a certainty whether they’ll go straight back into the team or miss a game or two to recuperate.

That’s certainly not the case here though, with Postecoglou saying Son is “definitely” ready to start, and also revealing how keen he was to get back to the day job.

Son Heung-min was ‘keen to come back’ to Tottenham Hotspur

Alasdair Gold asked the Spurs boss on Friday: “Son has come back devastated from the Asian Cup exit but has made himself available already, is that the example he sets?”

Postecoglou replied: “It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see him be like that.

“He was very, very disappointed with Korea’s exit because they haven’t won it for quite a while and after they got past Australia, when you get to the semi-final stage you feel so close.

“But anyone who watched the tournament [knows] he gave everything for his nation and didn’t leave anyone questioning his commitment to his country.

“He was spent by the end of it but I spoke to him not long after it and he was keen to come back, get amongst the boys again.

“He was keen to come back here. It didn’t surprise me that he wanted to train straight away and be available. That’s why he is the person he is.”

It’s great to have Son back at Tottenham as they look to bounce back after just one win in their last four in all competitions.

The Spurs and South Korea captain is such an inspirational player, eager to give his all for club and country, and both are very lucky to have him.

Postecoglou’s team situation is great at present, which will hopefully go a long way towards Tottenham getting back to the form they showed at the start of the season.

He can now call upon Son, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr, who have all returned from international duty, and the prior injury situation has eased massively.