Antonio Conte says Son could be benched in the next games

Spurs manager

Antonio Conte

says

is not "undroppable" after the attacker's slow start to the season. Son led

to a top-four finish and a spot in the

Champions League

last season while playing under Conte.

With 23 goals in the league, he tied with

's Mohamed Salah for the competition's scoring title. Son has taken more shots this Premier League season than any other player without a goal (17). Unfortunately, Son has not been able to keep up those levels this season. He has only made six league appearances and has contributed with just one league assist.

Son, age 30, has had his starting spot called into question by Conte's hints that he may bench the veteran in favor of Richarlison or Dejan Kulusevski for this weekend's matchup with struggling Leicester City.

"There are no players that are undroppable. This has to be very clear. There are no players that are undroppable. If I tell this, it's only to try to help my players [It's] to avoid injuries, to try to have players at the top of their form and to have a good performance. If I am telling this it is only to protect my players and to give them the possibility to be, in every moment, at the top."

Eric Dier, the former England defender, has excelled this season, earning him a recall from

Gareth Southgate

for the Three Lions' Nations League games against Italy and Germany after a two-year absence. For Conte, Dier's recall to the England squad is a validation of the defender's stellar club achievements in advance of the 2022 World Cup.

"I'm really pleased because when my players are called up to the national teams, we are really proud.

 It means we are working very well, and we are trying to help the players to go with the national teams.

"In this case for Eric it was a really good achievement for him. For the rest I think my staff and I and team-mates are very happy for this call up to the national team."

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