Son Heung-min praised in Britain for stellar performances

South Korean forward Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur was among BBC's list of "English Premier League 25 Round Best 11" after scoring in two consecutive games after returning to the club following his national team duty at the Asian Cub. He was also ranked seventh in the weekly Power Rankings announced by British sports TV channel Sky Sports.

Son, who is showing outstanding performances and considered a top-notch striker, is coveted by prestigious soccer clubs. British soccer media outlet Eye Football reported Wednesday, "Chelsea are planning an audacious swoop for South Korean star Heung-Min Son in the summer, with the Blues ready to pay around 80 million pounds to sign the Asian star." Chelsea, which conquered the 2011-2012 UEFA Champions League, is one of the most prestigious Premier League clubs.

Son is elevating his value, playing the ace role for Tottenham amid the absence of its injured main forward Harry Kane. Son scored a winning goal in the 83rd minute with a powerful mid-range right-foot shoot, leading Spurs to a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United. Scoring goals in two consecutive Premier League games, Son has made a total of 14 goals so far this season. Having scored 10 goals in this season's Premier League alone, he is the first Korean to have double-digit scores in the league for three consecutive seasons.

There have been overflowing acclaims of Son, who was named the "Man of the Match." Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino compared him to a battery. "Sonny is like a battery that you have - you work, work, work until the battery is gone," said Pochettino. "He is like this. He gives you everything and when he is exhausted he says he needs to rest. On the pitch he is always 100 per cent in every action. He works so hard, he pushes and never gives up - he tries, tries, tries, tries." The manager added that Son is a "very complete player" and drew a comparison between the South Korean and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

England's legendary forward Alan Shearer said during his appearance on a BBC soccer program that Son will "definitely" be in the first five or six for a contender for Player of the Year at the end of the Premier League season.


Yun-Cheol Jeong trigger@donga.com