Antonio Conte has revealed Son Heung-min's anger at his start to the season as the Tottenham manager ponders dropping the player for the first time.
Son, last season's top scorer in the Premier League, is without a goal after six games, and also in two further Champions League matches.
His goal drought, and the subsequent form of summer signing Richarlison, has prompted suggestions that Son's spot in the Conte's starting line-up is under threat. Conte, since his appointment last November, has never dropped the South Korean.
"Sonny is not happy because he’s not scoring," Conte said. "It’s normal and I like that he’s a bit angry with this situation because it means that he wants to try to change it, also because we need (him).
"We are talking about Sonny and he’s a really important player for us. At the same time, it can happen, especially when you play massive games, you can be a bit tired mentally, also your body, so it can happen.
"But I repeat Sonny for me would be never, never a problem. We are talking about one of the best two players that we have in our team.
"For sure it can happen that in some games he can’t play from the start, like Harry (Kane) also. But only to protect him, to give the possibility to rest, to take care of his energy and to bring us to win.
"We are talking about players that during the game, they are decisive and we need to have these players always to be at the top."
Son last started a Premier League game on the bench almost 18 months ago, a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle under Jose Mourinho, and could find himself watching on against Leicester tonight.
Conte continued: "When you score a lot of goals, the following season is more difficult because you are not an underdog, but are starting like you are the first top scorer up there with Mohamed Salah.
"But when you don’t (score), for sure the confidence goes a bit down. At the same time, I think a strong player copes with this situation, faces this situation… and overcomes this situation.
"And again I repeat – Sonny has a lot of credit with me, with his team-mates, with the fans and with the whole environment. For this reason, Sonny for me will never be a problem."
