Still, the only thing I can trust is SON and you. Tottenham is expected to be the best 11, Son Heung-min is the most likely one-top card against Hoffenheim

Jan 23, 2025

No matter what anyone says, the only one-top card Tottenham Hotspur can trust is Son Heung-min (33).

Tottenham will play an important match in the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League round of 16. Tottenham will play the league phase 7 against TSG Hoffenheim at 2:45 a.m. on the 24th (Korea time) at the Free Zero Arena in Jinsheim, Germany.

It is a game that must be won.

Currently, Tottenham ranks ninth in the Europa League (11 points, 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss). The Europa League will play up to the league phase 8, advancing directly to the round of 16 by ranking 8th.

The 9th to 24th teams must play a playoff to advance to the round of 16. Rangers (Scotland) are currently eighth in front of Tottenham, with the same points. Therefore, if Tottenham wins the match against Hoffenheim, they can confirm their advance to the round of 16 regardless of the results of the remaining one game.

Tottenham, which already has a severe power loss due to numerous injuries, must win and advance to the round of 16 directly. Then I have some leeway in my February schedule because I avoid the playoffs. You can buy time for the injured to return. This is why we have to go all out against Hoffenheim.

But the situation is still not good. This season, Tottenham had as many as 11 injuries across all positions. There were also other injuries two days before the game. The 11th injured was Captain Son Heung-min's 「Attachment Doll」, which was a key source in the midfield familiar to Korean fans, Papesar (23).

British media TBR Football reported on the 23rd that coach Enze Postecoglou lost 14 million pounds (about 24.7 billion won) due to injuries at the training site ahead of the Hoffenheim away game. It is the worst crisis in which the 11th injured occurred this season. Pape Sarr was seen with an early suspension of training due to injury.

What can be consoled is that Christian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur returned during the training session. Radu Dragusin also trained in normal condition.

Still, the power loss is still huge. Antonin Kinski, who was rushed in from the January transfer window due to the injury of option one goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, is not listed and will not be able to play in the Europa League. Jed Spence, Sergio Reguilon, and Yang Min-hyuk do not get a chance to play for the same reason.

With holes all over the squad, Tottenham's expected lineup came out. Football London in England predicted Tottenham's best 11, and Son Heung-min is expected to play the role of a one-top striker.

It's an inevitable choice. Son Heung-min has rarely shown sharp form this season. He has only six goals and six assists in 19 league games. It was even criticized by Tottenham fans as it was pointed out as the direct cause of Tottenham's recent serious slump. Tottenham has only won one game (two draws and seven losses) in 10 official matches, including three consecutive league defeats.

It can be seen as Son Heung-min's time of hardship. After the defeat in Everton's away game on the 19th, he had to go to greet Tottenham fans in the away cheering section and receive harsh abuse and boos. Son Heung-min went back with his face wrapped in despair.

In addition, he suffered a blatant disregard from Tottenham. Tottenham refused to renew the contract with Son Heung-min and only operated a one-year extension option. As a result, transfer negotiations with overseas clubs such as Barcelona, which were in full swing, have also been completely suspended with Tottenham's option.

Recently, rumors of a transfer to Naples led by former teacher Antonio Conte have been raised by Italian media. Ultimé Calcio Napoli is looking for a replacement for Hvicha Kvaratshelia on the 21st. Napoli have many names on the table, but we can't rule out a surprise transfer for Son Heung-min.

However, the media turned out to be a fan site, not an official registered media company. It's a 'wishful note' written down. Napoli is specifically seeking to recruit Alejandro Garnacho, not Son Heung-min.

Despite suffering inside and outside like this, Tottenham's ace is still Son Heung-min. Moreover, striker Dominic Solanke is also injured, so coach Enze Postecoglou is likely to put Son Heung-min in charge again.

Football London expected 4-3-2-1. Son Heung-min plays as a one-top striker, and left and right wing forwards are offensive camps where Mikey Moore and Dejan Kulusevski are deployed. It is obvious that the player will play in the midfield. James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Beribal, who are back from injury, are expected to be Pedro Porro, Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies and Archie Gray as four backs.

The media predicted Brandon Austin as the starting goalie. Football London explained 'Frazier Foster returned to training, but we summoned Austin, who was in good form on his debut against Newcastle.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.