Statement from Son’s family at Tottenham comes at perfect time after Richarlison speaks out
The new captain ensured that the Brazilian striker, who came off the bench to turn defeat into victory, was at the center of the celebrations against Sheffield United as he spoke of the need to see a psychologist during his international duty.
Dejan Kulusevski celebrates with teammates Richarlison and Destiny Udogie after completing Tottenham’s stunning comeback against Sheffield Unite.
Richarlison hesitated, but Son Heung-min had other ideas. At the end of the youngest comeback in Premier League history, Tottenham’s players rightly celebrated extravagantly.
An afternoon that threatened to end Ange Postecoglou’s honeymoon turned sour after 97 minutes when the Brazilian striker, coming on nine minutes from the end of normal time, equalized with a header in the 27th minute. Spurs attempt.
Two minutes later, Richarlison, full of a new sense of confidence, set up Dejan Kulusevski for the winning goal, which provoked a strong reaction.
But as the Spurs players enjoyed their moment, Son pushed a reluctant Richarlison towards the crowd to make it clear that the turnaround depended on him.
He finally succumbed to the ovation after his captain punched him several times on the back.
It’s been a tough week for the Brazilian, who was signed by Everton for £60million last season.
While on international duty, he broke down in tears and said he was seeking help from a psychologist due to off-field issues.
And it didn’t help that he was on the Spurs bench after scoring just one goal in all of last season.
But when he returned to London, his clubmates rallied around him, with Son saying he just wanted to put his arm around the centre-forward.
“This is part of the family,” Son said. “We always want to have fun when we play together.
Richi obviously had a really difficult time, a difficult season. But I was very happy.
I was probably happier than him.
“We need him as a team, he has really good qualities, but the confidence is hugely different.
For Richy today, I just wanted to give him the big hug he deserved. He really showed his qualities.
Son reacts during comeback against Sheffield United.
Son Heung-Min failed to break the deadlock on a day in which Spurs had made two dozen attempts but failed to count.
“Richy is a very strong man, he has a good character and can always come back strong. But when you’re going through a tough time, you need good people around you.
“I always try to be his friend and if he needs something I can help him with my experience or my game. I think everyone is behind him to help him. Today he did a great job for this club.”
The mention of family was intriguing given the turmoil the Spurs have experienced this summer.
The trigger was the sale of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, but of the starting XI against a frustratingly strong Sheffield United, only Son has been in north London for more than two years.
“Of course you can’t compare it to a real family, but we are very, very close in the locker room,” Son said. “Everyone works for each other, everyone races for each other, everyone fights for each other.
“If someone gets by, you help them and everyone is happy to do it. It really makes us strong as a team and a group. We’re getting really close. We hope we can be even closer.
The distribution of scorers certainly helps. Richarlison became the seventh player to score in the first five games and if he can find that finishing touch consistently, the Spurs family could have a good season.
