Tim Cahill backs ‘exceptional’ Spurs man to be a star of the World Cup

Former Everton striker Tim Cahill has expressed his admiration for Son Heung-min and backed the South Korean to set the World Cup alight next month.

Son is now widely recognised as one of the best players in the Premier League and he created history last season when he became the first Asian player to win the Golden Boot in the English top flight.

South Korea’s hopes of doing well in the World Cup in Qatar rest, to a large extent, on the 30-year-old’s shoulders, with the Spurs man having rockstar status back in his home country.

Son has not been in the best of form so far this season, having managed just three goals and two assists in nine Premier League games so far (Transfermarkt), and he will be hoping to find his goalscoring boots before flying to Qatar.

Cahill, who now works as the chief sports officer at the Aspire academy in Qatar, admitted that he is excited to see what Son can do at the World Cup, which is set to be held on Asian soil for the first time since 2002.

The Australian told Goal.com about Son: “He’s a global icon. He is very consistent regardless of not being able to score some goals here or there.

“I am a big admirer of Son. I’m looking forward to seeing him score goals in this World Cup and enjoy an amazing journey for him and his country.

“I think he’s probably the flagship at the moment for Asian football. He’s flying the flag amazingly well because of his consistency to produce in the biggest league in the world.

“He likes receiving the balls in tight areas and he can dribble. He has power even though he doesn’t look that type of player, Finishing, is exceptional. Technical, I am a big fan.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I do worry about how emotionally taxing the World Cup will be on the likes of Son and Kane, given that they essentially carry the hopes of their respective nations on their shoulders. They might be drained both physically and emotionally when they return for the second half of the season.

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