Son Heung-min is widely recognized as a Tottenham legend, yet in his early years with the team during the 2015–16 campaign, some staff members publicly questioned his potential. Son Heung-stellar min’s Tottenham career may have been cut short as a result of their misgivings.
Paul Mitchell, who spent two years as Spurs’ head of recruitment and analysis during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure with the team, claims as much. Mitchell handled Son’s acquisition by Bayer Leverkusen in August 2015 on a five-year deal for a cost of £22 million.
The South Korean player struggled at first to make an impact at Tottenham despite having scored 29 goals in 87 games for Leverkusen. In 40 appearances during the 2015–16 season, he scored just eight goals while he was 23 years old.
Mitchell, who also brought Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld, and Kieran Trippier to Tottenham, had Pochettino’s support because the two had previously worked together at Southampton. However, some staff members openly questioned his decision to hire Son.
“Mitchell, who now works for Monaco, said to Sky Sports: “I had quite a bit of criticism in my first year at Tottenham for some of my decisions, and Sonny was kind of in the center of it. It was kind of a learning curve for me; that sometimes players need time.
They didn’t listen when I said, “You’re wrong, since his history at two different clubs demonstrates that he’s a very astute finisher off both sides.
“Son has gone on to ascertain himself joined of the most effective attackers in Tottenham history, evaluation 131 goals and doling out seventy three assists in 324 games for the club. After scoring 23 goals during the previous season, he and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool shared the Golden Boot award for the Premier League.
Son’s two-footed finishing made his goal-scoring prowess particularly noteworthy; Son Heung-min scored more goals with his left foot (12), which was apparently weaker than his right (11). Son has scored 61 goals with his right foot and 51 with his left for Spurs, according to data from Transfer market.
There is no longer any question regarding Son Heung-min talent for Tottenham. The forward received special appreciation from Antonio Conte earlier this month, underscoring his standing within the team. Every manager needs players with extraordinary potential if they want to succeed, according to Conte. “Sonny is a genuinely excellent man. He impressed me with his devotion, attitude, and behavior.
“But i think that tons of individuals are unaware of the person and person that lad represents. His smile never leaves his face. He is undoubtedly a positive individual. Every manager desires to be equipped with this kind of talent.