A number of Premier League clubs will face the prospect of losing key players at the start of 2024 after a new date for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup was confirmed. Initially pencilled in to be held in China this summer, last May it was announced that they would not host the tournament due to the Covid-19 situation in the country.
Following confirmation in October that the tournament would instead be played in Qatar, dates for the 24-team competition were revealed last week. The 2023 AFC Asian Cup will now begin on Friday, January 12 and draw to a conclusion on Saturday, February 10.
South Korea are one of the 24 teams to have qualified for the tournament, assuring their place in the finals back in June 2021. Jurgen Klinsmann's side are in Pot 1 and they will discover who they will face in the group phase when the draw is held in Doha in one month's time.
READ MORE: Tottenham's European fate could rest on Cristian Stellini's answer to the Dejan Kulusevski issue
South Korea's participation in the tournament means that Tottenham will face the prospect of losing Son Heung-min for around a month, especially if his national team go all the way to the final. That will hand Tottenham's next manager a blow in the process and it will in turn give some of the club's other attackers the chance to step up and take their opportunity.
Although Son has been far from his best across the 2022/23 campaign, the 30-year-old has started in 25 of the 28 Premier League games he has been available for this season. On the three occasions when he did drop down to the bench, he netted a quickfire hat-trick against Leicester City and then teed up Harry Kane for a goal in the 2-0 triumph over West Ham.
As the tournament is held every four years, Tottenham were in a similar predicament back in 2019. The attacker only featured in three of his country's games as Spurs struck an agreement with the Korean Football Association.
Having released him for the Asian Games in August and September, which resulted in him missing three of Tottenham's Premier League fixtures, both parties agreed that he would miss the first two group games of the Asian Cup. Featuring in their final group fixture, Son couldn't help South Korea advance beyond the quarter-finals as they lost 1-0 to eventual winners Qatar.
READ NEXT:
Unai Emery has an unlikely role to play in Tottenham's top-four fight with Newcastle and Man Utd
Cristian Stellini could be handed Tottenham boost vs Bournemouth that changes his thinking
Djed Spence benched, Gil returns to England, fans bewildered over Joe Rodon and Lo Celso stars
Harry Kane gives verdict on Antonio Conte Tottenham exit and Abdoulaye Doucoure Everton red card
Son Heung-min outlines Roberto De Zerbi Brighton tactic vs Tottenham that he took advantage of
