Dutch legend Ruud Gullit praises Son Heung-min

Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit is regarded as a hero at Chelsea FC, but he nevertheless acknowledges Son Heung-min - the Korean who plays for the Blues’ London rivals Tottenham Hotspur - as a high-quality player.

“Son is a very good player,” Gullit told Yonhap News Agency after attending the design launch event for Lusail Stadium, the venue of the opening and closing matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in Doha on Saturday. “I like him very much.”

Son, who joined Spurs in 2015, became the first Asian player to win the English Premier League’s Goal of the Month award in November with his brilliant solo goal effort against Gullit’s beloved Chelsea.

In Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Chelsea on Nov. 24, Son ran down the right wing following a Dele Alli pass and outpaced Jorginho before easily beating David Luiz. The 26-year-old then finished calmly with his left foot to find the back of the net over Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

“I like his energy and his technique as well,” said Gullit, the winner of the 1987 Ballon d’Or. “I think he is an excellent striker.”

Gullit, 56, was the first overseas manager to win the English FA Cup, guiding Chelsea to the title in 1997. The former AC Milan player works as a football pundit for beIN Sports.

Yonhap