Antonio Conte's Tottenham side face their first midweek game of the season on Wednesday, with a trip to the London Stadium to take on West Ham. In the same fixture last season, Spurs lost and will be keen to avoid a repeat of that result.
The Lilywhites have won three and drawn one of their first fixtures, a very solid start to the season. Apart from a couple of changes, the Italian has stuck with a largely similar starting line-up in those four games.
However, this could all change on Wednesday as Conte admitted earlier this month that, "We are ready for when we have games every three days to make rotations and it will be good for us."
READ MORE: Every word Antonio Conte said on Son, Richarlison juggling the ball and why he won't complain
Therefore, there could be a few more changes made against David Moyes' side following their 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest. The South Korean has had an odd start to the season, with his performances being far from his best.
However, Son usually still contributes to goals and assists, but has so far only registered one assist. Conte was asked about the 30-year-old's performance after the recent victory and is still not be worried by the drop in form.
"I understood Sonny is a really sensible player. He's really sensible and a top man, a really good guy. If I am to make an example, I have to find a husband for my daughter I'd like to be a person like him. You understand? Sometimes is good but at same time I think so much sensible," he admitted.
"In this moment maybe he's suffering a lot that he's not scoring. But he has to continue in this way and trust himself because in every game he has the opportunity, the chance to score and then he has to be calm. We trust him and his teammates.
"You know very well the importance of this player with Harry Kane and for sure he's a bit disappointed that he's not scoring but no problem. For me, Sonny will always be a nut in my team, in my ambition of football."
In the last two matches, the South Korean has made way for Richarlison, who has already impressed. On Sunday, the Brazilian came on in the final 15 minutes of the game, yet had the same amount of shots and better passing accuracy, with only five extra passes.
When Son was taken off the pitch, both Alan Shearer and Tim Sherwood noticed his disappointment. "I was really interested in Son’s reaction to being substituted," Shearer admitted to Optus Sport, via the Mirror.
"I totally understand it and I think that’s a good thing. He’s shown his anger that he doesn’t want to come off because there are still goals at stake and chances and he realises that Richarlison’s not there just to sit on the bench, he wants to be in the game as well.
"There’s anger because he feels that someone else should come off, take someone else off, not him. I don’t see that as being a problem, I think it’s a good thing. You can see his reaction, he’s just not happy at all and rightly so – ‘take someone else off but not me!’"
Sherwood agreed that his reaction wasn't a negative and the change highlights Tottenham's strength in depth. "The quality you have in the forward areas, you have the luxury of taking off Son, who isn’t having a good time, at the moment. He wasn’t happy when he walked off the pitch," the former Spurs boss said, via HITC.
"Richarlison comes on and makes the second goal for [Harry] Kane. They have quality in reserves – you don’t want Son to be doing backflips coming off the pitch and being happy. It’s not about that.
"He is coming off because he’s not done so well. He hasn’t done well this season. But he is a brilliant player and has been brilliant for a number of seasons. He will get his form back," Sherwood added.
"At the moment, they are winning without his contribution – I love his response. They have brought in Richarlison, everyone thought he might be the moody one. But Son is the moody one. He is a top-draw professional."
Conte has been full of praise for Son and doesn't seem worried about his form, although the South Korean must be frustrated himself. Therefore the decision over who starts at the London Stadium on Wednesday is a big one.
There has already been some talk of the summer arrival stepping in for Son and perhaps the 30-year-old could do with a rest and hopefully bounce back on Saturday and spring back into form. If Son is left out of the starting XI, his likely replacement is Richarlison.
The Brazilian has already shown he can make an impact and that he can step-up when needed in big games, like he did at Chelsea. Therefore Conte won't have so much worry about introducing him in a game like Wednesday.
However, the 25-year-old has already also shown his aggression and sometimes rash decision making, which in a London derby could be costly. Despite this, the Italian should be able to trust his players to keep a cool head when needed and help the team secure three points.
Richarlison has already been praised by both Conte and Eric Dier has settled in to life at Spurs well so far. If he does make the starting XI on Wednesday, it will be a big chance for the Brazilian to really impress and may make Son work that extra big harder to earn back his place in the starting line-up.
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