Number Talk: Here Is Why Heung-Min Son Has Been Tottenham’s Most Influential Player
Tottenham Hotspur have had a topsy-turvy start to the current season but they seem to be gearing up as days go by. They are currently unbeaten in their last six games and have been quite rock-solid lately. Although there has been a lot of talk suggesting that the team is too heavily-reliant on Harry Kane, there is one player who has been rather underrated.
Heung-Min Son has easily been one of Tottenham’s most influential players this season and it might be safe to say that he has cemented a spot for himself in the first-team at this stage.
It is certainly not easy for a foreign player to come in and dominate a team that’s filled with some of the most promising youngsters. Players like Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Harry Kane have all been recognised and loved by most Spurs fans for quite some time now. However, after this season, there is no doubt that Son will also occupy similar stature among the fans. He is creative, dependable and also has a knack for scoring a goal or two.
One look at his numbers from the season so far and it is quite evident that he has been one of Tottenham’s best. As per data made available by EA Sports, Son has scored 8 goals so far this season, making him the second-highest goalscorer for the North London side. In addition to that, he has provided 4 assists, which is only 3 less than Dele Alli. As far as chance creation is concerned, Son comes 4th on that list, having created 27 thus far.
There is one area wherein he has managed to outperform all his teammates. Son has completed 39 successful dribbles, placing him at the very top of the list. Second-placed Kane has only managed to complete 33. Also, Son has made 104 touches in the opposition box and he occupies the second spot in that list, right behind Kane, who has 149. It is quite clear that the South Korean has excelled on multiple fronts this season and he has truly worked hard to earn all the praise.
Even at times when the likes of Alli and Kane have fallen short, Son has stepped up to the plate and has delivered some match-winning performances. In fact, when Tottenham faced Stoke City in December, Son scored one goal while creating three more. That is more than enough to prove his influence. The 25-year-old has been reliable, consistent and effective for Tottenham and if he continues this way, he has a long future ahead of him.