- Son Heung-min has played in a central position following Harry Kane’s departure
- The Tottenham skipper has netted seven times in nine Premier League outings
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Ange Postecoglou believes Son Heung-min’s transition from speedy winger to central striker is similar to that of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Spurs skipper has taken the mantle from Harry Kane following his summer departure to Bayern Munich, netting seven times in nine league appearances while playing down the middle.
The switch has negated the need for the Premier League high-flyers to invest in a like-for-like replacement for their all-time top scorer.
And Postecoglou reckons the 31-year-old’s movement and intelligence makes him perfect for the role. While also drawing comparisons to Ronaldo’s late-career switch.
‘I don’t want to make a similar comparison,’ the Spurs manager told Sky Sports ahead of their game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. ‘But you had him at Manchester United, Cristiano [Ronaldo].
Son Heung-Min has made an outstanding start to the season, scoring seven goals in nine
Postecoglou believes Son’s movement and intelligence makes him perfect for a central role
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Man United as a deadly striker having left as a tricky winger
‘He started off as a winger, but I always felt with Sonny [Heung-min] he’s such a great finisher, his movement is outstanding and I think he’s clever enough to play in that central area.
‘I always like his work ethic, you see his press and that’s what initiates the press from a defensive point of view and I knew he had that in him. It’s an idea I had in my mind and it worked out.’
Much like the side as a whole, Son’s start to the season has come as a surprise considering his drop in form last term.
But the arrival of the former Celtic boss and the partnership with James Maddison has rejuvenated the Premier League 2021-22 Golden Boot winner.
The South Korean’s form was recognised with the September Player of the Month Award. Son scored a hat-trick at Turf Moor in the rout of Burnley, bagged a brace in the north London derby, and the opening goal in Spurs’ first win over Liverpool since 2017.
