Spurs legend backs Lilywhites to go on Champions League run with joyful Sonny

Michael Dawson has waxed lyrical about Son Heung-min’s qualities and has admitted that he loves the fact the South Korean seems to be having the time of his life while playing at the top level.

Son’s numbers have got better season on season since he arrived at Spurs from Bayern Leverkusen back in 2015.

The forward ended the 2021/22 season with 23 goals in the Premier League, which meant that he shared the Golden Boot with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

Dawson has insisted that Son is up there with the best players in the world, admitting that the forward’s runs off the ball make him a nightmare to defend against.

The former Tottenham defender told William Hill: “He (Son) ranks right up there amongst the world’s best players, right up there. He’s such a threat, he scores goals.

“When him and Harry (Kane) combine together, they’re the best in the Premier League. They’re a joy to watch.

“I watch a lot of games and they are a joy, the way they combine together – Son runs in behind if Harry comes short. So yeah, he’s up there with the world’s best players, without a shadow of a doubt.

“He runs in behind, the goals he scores… When he gets one on one with a goalkeeper, you always fancy him to hit the back of the net. I just think he’s a threat.

“Defenders don’t like running in behind. He runs from wide areas, which is always hard for a defender if you get caught flat-footed.”

“He’s always got the run on you, he’s quick anyway. His movement is brilliant, which is why he’s up there. And that’s why he gets all the recognition he deserves. To get 23 Premier League goals, and not one being a penalty – it’s remarkable and credit to him.

“I think Sonny getting those 23 goals, joint with Salah, makes him my Spurs player of the season. Incredible.”

Dawson also admitted that he admires the way Son plays the game with a smile on his face and the connection he has built with the Spurs fan base.

The former England defender added: “What impresses me most about him is the love for the game he has. He’s certainly a fan favourite, he’s one of those players that always makes time for people.

“He’s always got a smile on his face. He loves the football club, he loves being there, he loves being a fan’s hero. He connects and you have to connect with the fans and make that bond.

“When you go through periods of the season where you maybe don’t score for a few games, as he did, you’ve still got that love that helps you when you need rooting for.

“He loves it, he’s always got time for people and that’s what it’s about, because he’s an icon. He really, really is. Everyone loves him. He’s a superstar.”

Dawson believes that Tottenham can surprise people by going on a great Champions League run and also backed his former club to be contesting at the top of the table in the Premier League.

The pundit said about the club’s aspirations for next season: “They can go on a great Champions League run. You look back to 2019 when they got to the final, no one expected that. It was an incredible journey, with so many ups and downs.

“Cup competitions are fine margins, I know how hard it is to win that. We’ve seen it with other teams this season where you can be in control and then five minutes of madness in football and it changes.

“The aim’s got to be in the top four again, realistically that’s what the aim is. I think the top two for me will again be challenging for the title, but if you make improvements then your aim has got to be, can you close the gap to the top two? And that’s what Spurs have got to do. That’s it. And try and cement yourself in the top four.

“Manchester United are going to be better, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with Chelsea. But it’s about what Spurs do – signing the right players, keeping on improving and keeping on getting the best out of the players that are in the squad because they’ve got an incredible squad. They’ve just got to try and keep on building.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I would not be surprised if both Son and Kane get more than 30 goals next season in Conte’s first full season in charge. If they do manage that, one would think that it should be more than enough for Tottenham to finish in the top three.

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