We all know that Son Heung-min was on the verge of leaving Tottenham over the summer transfer window just passed, but Mauricio Pochettino persuaded the South Korean to stay and fight for his place, and what a good decision that was by Pochettino.
The forward has been on fire since coming back into the team, scoring five goals in all competitions since he returned from the Olympics, making his first start in the game away at Stoke at the beginning of September. He scored two there and hasn’t showed any signs of slowing down since.
He produced a Man of the Match performance against Sunderland the week after, and then scored two goals away at Middlesbrough the week after, scoring in the Champions League just a few days after that.
Son has not only played down the left-hand side, but he also led the line for Spurs on Sunday against Manchester City. He did an excellent job up top, holding the ball up and causing problems for the City defence, pressing high with the help of the likes of Dele Alli.
Since returning from the Olympics, Son has looked a different player. He looks quicker, stronger and more dangerous when he has the ball, and his performances have gone far from unnoticed.
Comparing his stats from last season to this season, you can see improvements in quite a few areas for the South Korean. For starters, he has scored on average a goal per game in the Premier League this season, whereas last season he would score on average once every three games.
Not only has Son improved in the goals scored department, but he has been much more instrumental in the build-up play for Spurs, making on average 2.5 key passes per game, and creating on average three chance per game. On the other hand, last season, the 24-year-old 1.43 chances and made 1.35 key passes per ninety minutes. Already, we can start to see how Son has improved over the summer.
Son has also improved in terms of duels and physical battles. He is winning more of his aerial duels, 8% more than he was winning last campaign, and he is losing less tackles, on average a tackles less per game, which can only be a good thing. Also, he is winning more fouls per game as well as putting defences on the back foot.
Son has been a revelation since he returned to the starting line-up this season, and if he continues to play like he has done, he, with the help of others, could fire Spurs in contention for the Premier League title.
