KOREA BEST
Winning Games has let Son continue Premiership dream
HE is living his dream of playing against the world’s best players in the top competitions, but Heung-min Son could have been on national service instead.
South Koreans who have played in the Premier League, Champions League and World Cup are hard to find.
Son added a gold medal to his achievements at the Asian Games last month with an extra-time win over Japan, a victory that saw him excused 21 months of national service.
But the patriotic 26-year-old says he would have settled for playing in the army team: “Of course I am in a better position now because I have won the Asian Games, but if not then there was the Korean army team for me.
“Winning the Asian Games is about the most important thing I have achieved for my country, and seeing the delight on the faces of the people back home is something that will last with me forever.
“No country has won it twice on the spin and we have been able to do it, so I am very proud of South Korea and my team-mates.”
Since signing for Tottenham in 2015, Son (right) has scored 30 league goals and has been happy enough to let the likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane grab all the headlines as he continues to exceed expectations.
He credits a lot of his success to Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, who signed him at the fourth time of asking.
When Pochettino was with Southampton, he convinced the owners to invest in the South Korean.
The boss was certain Son had the right attitude and technique to succeed in the Premier League, but the bids fell short and he moved instead to Germany in 2013.
Son said: “Pochettino has been unbelievable for me in the small things and also the big things.
“He has helped me a lot, even the decision to bring me in from Germany and give me a chance.
“He took a big risk on me to go to the Asian Games and when I returned he took me in as if I never left.
“His attention to detail is unbelievable and that is why he is one of the best in the world.”
The versatile forward is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars of Asian football. But Son never forgets his own role model, former Manchester United midfielder Ji-sung Park.
He said: “He is a legend for me and was one of the guys who influenced us all because he played for a big team and was a key part of their success.
“I can never underestimate the role he played in putting our country out there with his performances.”
And Son insists he will never stop loving playing in the Premier League. He added: “For me, it’s still a dream to play in the Premier League. The journey is an unbelievable one.
“I enjoy every second. I treat every game as living the dream I had some years ago.”