Son Heung-Min Feels He’s Hitting His Stride with Tottenham

For the past three Premier League games, Son Heung-Min has been Tottenham’s best player.

The South Korean international has put in Man of the Match performances by scoring a brace against Stoke City and Middlesbrough. Against Sunderland, Son attacked their defense head-on delivering dangerous crosses and setting up well placed balls on his corner kicks.

Because of this, it is evident that Son has hit his stride since returning from the Rio Olympics late last month.

Being able to fully concentrate on his Spurs career is a big reason why the 24-year-old is at the top of his game since he donned the lilywhite shirt last summer.

A year ago, Son Heung-Min introduced himself to the Tottenham faithful with a brace against Qarabağ FK in the Europa League at White Hart Lane. The following game against Crystal Palace, also at home, Son would score the game-winner and show that he could easily make the transition from the Bundesliga to the Premier League.

Unfortunately, a foot injury robbed the left winger of six games. With Son sidelined for over a month, Mauricio Pochettino’s second line of attack featured Christian Eriksen, Dele Alil and Érik Lamela.

All three played exceptionally well individually and were deadly together when combined with Harry Kane leading the way. Essentially, Son’s spot on the starting XI was sealed, he would be a rotational player to begin his first year with Spurs.

Son would split 28 of his Premier League appearances either starting (13 games) or coming off of the bench (15 games). Outside of league play, Son would be a starter in Europe and the FA Cup but it was a blow for the South Korean who started off his Spurs career on a high note before injury struck.

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With a new season, Son Heung-Min is once again off to a flying start.

Last term, the 24-year-old scored four goals in 28 league appearances. After missing the opening two Premier League games because of the Rio Olympics — and sitting on the bench as an unused substitute against Liverpool — Son has now equaled his tally of four goals in just three matches.

He’s currently riding a wave of momentum and is looking to get better as the season wears on.

“I feel very good now,” Son said (via Spurs’ official site).

“I felt good last season as well but I got injured. I try to do my best every game, last season was my first in the Premier League and now I want to do better.”

“It’s not finished, I look forward and will work hard every day for Tottenham.”

Had Son not gotten injured last September, it’s unknown how good he could have been. But for the sake of argument, let’s assume that Son stayed healthy.

Perhaps he does very well like he is doing now, and in return maybe Dele Alli doesn’t become the player that he was at the end of last season — one of the best young attacking midfielders for club and country — because he stays at central midfield with Eric Dier.

Then there’s also Mousa Dembélé and what to do with the Belgian international.

Son Heung-Min only missed six games last year and it happened early in the season last year. In his absence, Spurs continued to roll in the Premier League while he recovered.

In the grand scheme of things his injury was a blessing in disguise. It worked out in Spurs’ favor which is being seen today as Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking midfield trio is still dangerous.

Dele Alli may have to play deeper as a result of Son’s performances, or worse, start off of the bench, but now Spurs have plenty of options to match up against certain opponents.

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This term, Son has started four matches and was an unused substitute for two games in all competitions. It’s clear that Pochettino has a plan in place for the former Bayer Leverkusen player who cost Spurs £22 million last summer.

And at the moment, it makes sense to keep Son in the starting lineup with his form at an all-time high. He’s currently enjoying himself and the fans are showing their appreciation.

“I’m very thankful for the fans, they were unbelievable again, every game,” Son added

“We fight for them as well. The reaction was fantastic and it was a great feeling for me. I want to score more goals to see those reactions!”