How Harry Kane's Return From Injury Has Made Son Heung-min Less Effective for Tottenham

As Harry Kane limped off after the final whistle of Tottenham's disappointing 1-0 loss at home to Manchester United, it was feared that Spurs' chances of a successful campaign were following him down the tunnel. 

Without Kane, many thought that Mauricio Pochettino's team would now be lumbered with no choice but to smash aimless long balls in the vague direction of Fernando Llorente, as - with the club's lack of transfer activity - there would be few other options other than to utilise the aerial nous of the Spaniard. 

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Llorente did indeed become a more important member of the squad. He made 10 consecutive appearances for the team as a result of Kane's injury. He had only made 10 in total before Kane's absence.

The Spanish target man was however not the club's new temporary attacking focal point. He was though a physical distraction who occupied opposition defenders whilst a member of Spurs' supporting cast stepped into the stoplight.

During Kane's injury layoff, Spurs won every game which South Korean attacker Son Heung-min played, with four goals guiding the club to five victories, including a vital 3-0 win at Wembley Stadium against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

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Son's form however did not ignite as a result of Kane's absence. Before the Manchester United game, Son had scored nine goals in nine games, though he was less prominent, as during this run of goal scoring form, he only managed to score during two games in which Kane did not.

So what has changed? Kane's return to the first team has coincided with a huge dip in form for Son, despite the duo's free scoring form in the games before the English striker's injury.  Since returning, Kane has grabbed four goals in five games whilst Son has endured a barren spell in front of goal, failing to find the net in any.

Many have looked towards a change in role for Son as the main cause of his loss of form, with the South Korean playing a less fluid role in the team, as Kane takes over his usual duty of being the club's main attacking threat. This however does not account for the pair's combined tally of 23 Premier League goals this season when both have played for Spurs.

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This stat clearly debunks the idea that the two players become incompatible when they are both on the field at the same time. However, in spite of this, it is clear that something is not the same as it once was.

The answer could lie within the workload that the pair have endured for club and country since the summer. 

Both players have played 47 competitive fixtures for club and country since their appearances in their nation's first game of the World Cup. However Kane has had the opportunity to rest forced upon him due to injury. However, Son's impeccable injury record has meant that he has been ever-present for club and country since the summer.

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Son has competed in two international tournaments since the World Cup, whilst also featuring in four different tournaments for his club, which is a huge credit to the athleticism and fitness levels of the 26-year-old. However, every athlete suffers with fatigue at some point.

Son has looked noticeably jaded in recent fixtures, which may be a result of him arguably being the club's most important player in recent months. A dependency which will have been physically and mentally exhausting for the attacker.

Following Tottenham's 2-1 defeat to Southampton, the club now have a period of three weeks until they face Liverpool at Anfield, in a fixture which could help decide the destination of the Premier League title. The lengthy break could be the tonic for Mauricio Pochettino to restore the form of his side, and in particular Son, who surely is relishing a spell away from competitive football following such a hectic schedule.