Son Heung-min has had a phenomenal season for Tottenham Hotspur. The forward shared the Golden Boot with Mohammed Salah after scoring 22 goals. His contributions were vital for the Spurs to reach secure a place in the top 4.
Many claim the Korean was the best player this season, despite him being controversially omitted from PFA Player of the Year Award contention.
Son has stood out for Tottenham every season since he joined, and fans believe this season established him as the best in the league and world-class.
However, as the saying goes, if you’re good at something, there is an Asian kid who is better…..whose parent will quickly bring them back down to earth.
In a recent interview, Son’s father Son Woong-jung reaffirmed that he did not believe his son was world-class as others do. When asked by the interviewer, Joo responded, “[My opinion still] hasn’t changed.”.
The Spurs forward’s father followed with, “He must be able to play a solid role in one of the world’s top clubs. That’s when he will become a world-class player. Like I said before, he must do 10 per cent better on every front to reach that goal.”
Woo, a former professional player himself, expects the best from his son. His strict training regime for Son since he was young is no secret.
In a popular clip from a Korean documentary filmed during Son’s Hamburg days, the player’s father makes him train after regular training with his club, to overcome deficiencies.
Woo has a lot of influence over his son. Despite the strict training, the Spurs winger states that he wouldn’t be the player he is if it was not for his father.
The player has not married and had children so far because his dad told him to only marry once he retired. According to Woo, once Son has a family they will be his priority and not football.
Not all will agree with his methods, but his father’s teachings clearly worked as the player is one of the top players in the toughest league in football.
However, Spurs fans may be wary after his recent comments. His emphasis on Son only being world-class after he plays in a top position for a top club, not only indicates that he may not consider Son’s current club among the best, but the player may transfer in the future.