As introductions go, it would be difficult to top Son Heung-min’s exploits in his first two outings at White Hart Lane last week.
The South Korea international, who joined Tottenham Hotspur from Bayer Leverkusen near the end of the summer transfer window, netted two goals in the Europa League group-stage clash with Qarabag of Azerbaijan nine days ago before scoring the winner in Sunday's Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace. The £22 million (Dh123m) signing instantly blew away doubts about his price tag and kick-started Tottenham's season following a slow start to the campaign.
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While some felt that Mauricio Pochettino’s side should have got closer to the top four in 2014/15, a fifth-place finish and League Cup runners-up medal represented for the Argentine an excellent first season in charge of the North London club.
Bettering teams like Manchester United, who spent almost £150m on new players in the summer of 2014, and Arsenal, who paid £35m for Alexis Sanchez, was always going to be difficult, but Pochettino did a fine job in challenging for a Champions League place while also introducing a new style of play and helping a number of the club’s youngsters to grow within the first team.
Tottenham remain outsiders in the top-four race, but the recent signs are positive after a run of four games without a victory. While Son cannot take full credit for the club’s revival, his presence has invigorated the team ahead of Saturday’s match with leaders Manchester City.
Son is 23 and his speed and dynamism makes him an ideal fit for the energetic, high-tempo game favoured by Pochettino. The average age of the XI who started the game with Crystal Palace was just 24.3; there is a fresh and vibrant feel to the Tottenham team, with Son emblematic of an approach that could make them one of the most exciting teams to watch this year.
His goal against Palace was a perfect demonstration of what he brings to the side.
Almost as soon as Erik Lamela had robbed Yohan Cabaye of possession on the edge of the Tottenham box and slipped a pass into Christian Eriksen, Son was on the move. After collecting a typically accurate ball from the Dane, he darted forward, forcing Brede Hangeland to retreat towards his own goal before working the ball onto his left foot and firing a powerful effort through the legs of keeper Alex McCarthy.
In the space of 12 seconds, Tottenham had worked the ball from just outside their own area into the back of the Palace net.
Prior to Son’s arrival, Tottenham lacked verticality and runs in behind the opposition back line. Harry Kane, who still has not scored this season, is a centre-forward who likes to roam across the pitch and drop deeper to collect the ball; without anyone making movements in the opposite direction, it is easy for opponents to squeeze the play and force Tottenham away from their goal.
Son has already added that extra dimension to his new team’s game: whether fielded wide, as a No 10, or at the very top of the pitch as a striker, the all-action South Korean is a bundle of energy who buzzes across the pitch.
One criticism of the forward during his time in Germany was his consistency, with Son’s performance levels often fluctuating from week to week. It is something he must improve if he is to take his game to the next level, but the early indications at Tottenham suggest that the speedy and direct attacker will fit in well with the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.
As Manchester City travel to White Hart Lane on Saturday for what will be Son’s fifth appearance for Tottenham, the Korean will be hoping he continues to make a positive early impression.
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