There’s Th Mour to it
Jose splits credit with Pochettino for creating a deadly force
Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have formed the English Premier League’s most lethal combination under Jose Mourinho this season but the Portuguese manager says some of the credit has to go to his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino. Heung-min scored his eighth goal of the season in the 1-0 win at Burnley after Kane had headed an Erik Lamela corner into his path. ‘It is an understanding that comes from Mauricio’s time,’ Mourinho said. ‘I don’t want all the credit myself, let’s share it with Mauricio.’
LONDON: Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have formed the English Premier League’s most potent partnership under Jose Mourinho this season but the Portuguese manager says some of the credit has to go to his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino.
In the early days of his time in charge, Mourinho suggested that the squad he inherited from Pochettino was perhaps a little too nice.
But the Spurs manager is now thankful to Pochettino for creating a deadly partnership in Heung-min and Kane.
“It is an understanding that comes from Mauricio’s time,” Mourinho told reporters.
“I don’t want all the credit myself, let’s share with Mauricio. They play together for a long time, probably a different way because Harry is not always a nine now.
“What pleases me more about them both is that they are two top players but close friends, no jealousy, they both play for the team.”
Heung-min scored his eighth goal of the season in Monday’s 1-0 win at Burnley after Kane had headed an Erik Lamela corner into his path. Spurs are fifth, two points behind leaders Everton, and lead the league in scoring with 16 goals.
It was the ninth goal the pair had combined for this season, with Kane assisting on seven of Heungmin’s eight goals, while the Korean has assisted on two of the England’s forward’s five strikes.
The duo have combined for 29 goals in their Premier League careers, second only to the former Chelsea partnership of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba (36), according to Opta statistics.
In many ways it was a classic Mourinho approach – Spurs were solid at the back, hard-working and physical in midfield but with the prolific Heung-min, who now has a league-leading eight goals, alongside Kane and Lucas Moura, there was always a threat.
“I want the team to go to every match to win it, home away English Premier League, Europa League, you can lose or draw but go to win it.
“This is something special, a change of mentality, of philosophy,” he said.