Eric Dier has revealed it wasn’t only Tottenham manager Antonio Conte joking about dropping Heung-Min Son more often after his scintillating hat-trick against Leicester on Saturday.
The South Korean was the joint-winner of the Premier League Golden Boot last term having scored 23 goals in the division – but saw himself out of the Spurs XI after none in six games this time out.
It was Conte’s decision to remove him from the spotlight and throw him in the face of tired Foxes legs, which was later reaffirmed.
After 59 minutes, a Son was able to break open the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium’s topsy-turvy match. Who helped them win a 6-2 victory.
In just 13 minutes 21 seconds, he managed to grab a wonderful treble that included two amazing long-range efforts.
And Dier acknowledged that his teammates had told him in the north London changing area that he might have needed to be on a bench more often.
“We were just joking with him in the dressing that the manager should drop him more often if he scores a hat-trick every half an hour,” he laughed.
“Everyone is delighted for him. It has been a tough start for someone who loves to score goals. I think that’s no secret. But, yeah, he’s come back in an emphatic way today, the floodgates have opened.”
After the match, the mood was definitely lightened with Conte’s jovial remarks.
Conte spoke to Sky Sports: “I am really happy for Sonny today, you know what I think of the player. I said to him if you’re going to score three goals in 30 minutes ‘maybe we can repeat this experiment’, but I was joking.”
Son himself, though, even after a truly sensational treble, was hypercritical of his previous performances and even felt emotional discuss the support he’s recieved from his teammates and fans.
“It was a top performance and I was really frustrated as well,’ Sky Sports interviewed him.
“The way I play I can do much better than I have been. Although the team has done a great job, I was disappointed in my performance.
“My finishing has been poor this season. I’ve also been a little bit unlucky with an own goal, two offside goals and hitting the crossbar. I knew goals were coming and I wasn’t worried.
“I’m really glad the ball finally went in! I was certain I was there for the hat trick. I’m glad I’ve been able to help the team, that is really important and I can go to national duty with renewed energy.
“I’m getting emotional to be honest. There has been amazing support and I’ve always felt like I’ve disappointed my team-mates and fans with my performances. They have always been supporting me.”
Dier already has two goals in the Premier League this season, that’s after scoring zero in the previous three campaigns, and he’s delighted with his contribution.
“I want to score more goals,” he said. “It’s something I was very motivated to do coming into this season, something I think the manager wants more from me as well.
“I’ve been trying to put a bit more attention and focus into it and, yeah, I’m really happy.”
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