Ruud awakening helped Son shine
SON Heung-min returns to Leverkusen tonight aiming to prove Ruud van Nistelrooy right.
Tottenham’s South Korean striker was inspired by the Manchester United legend when they linked up at Hamburg in 2010.
“I was 17 or 18, Ruud van Nistelrooy signed and he helped me a lot,” said Son, who has already scored five goals for spurs – compared to eight in total last season – in just seven appearances in the current campaign.
“He saw my first training session and he talked to me. He told me I was a good player.
“He gave me confidence and I want to thank him for that. We had a really good team and were successful for a time with him. Also [former Tottenham midfielder] Rafael van der Vaart came and he helped me. “He told me more about English football and how tough it was. I was only young. I listened to him and tried to learn from what he was saying.” Son moved to Leverkusen in 2013 but left them under a cloud when he moved to north London in a £18million deal two years later. The 25-year-old had started last season at the BayArena but he missed a Champions League play-off against Lazio and then a game against Hamburg, with sickness blamed. But the locals felt his absence was linked to him wanting to join Tottenham.
“I felt a little nervous coming and I’m not sure of the reception I’ll get,” he said.
“Nacer Chadli didn’t celebrate when he scored against us on Saturday for West Brom and if I score against them I will not celebrate. I respect them too much.
“My two years there was a good time for them and also a good time for me. I want to show respect.”
Tottenham will be without key defenders Kyle Walker – who has been rested – and
Toby Alderweireld, who injured his ankle in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns.
Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino said he was hopeful the setback was not serious.
He suggested Alderweireld may only be absent for one more match, Saturday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth.
“We don’t have results from his scan but I don’t think it was a very big issue and we hope it is not a big problem,” said Pochettino.
Despite the absentees, Pochettino has targeted a win tonight.
He said: “We must win if we want to go to the next round – it is key to take the three points.
“The next two games, here and against Leverkusen again at Wembley, will be decisive for us.”
He predicted a thriller, though, saying he was a big fan of Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt.
“I admire him a lot,” said Pochettino. “I like him a lot for what is he doing at Leverkusen and before at Salzburg.
“I don’t know him personally but I have seen his teams a lot and I like the philosophy and the way his teams play.
“It will be an exciting game as both teams want to go forward.”
LEVERKUSEN
(4-2-3-1)
SPURS
(4-1-4-1)