Hwang, Son named among Premier League's best
Published: 05 Oct. 2021, 12:46
Updated: 05 Oct. 2021, 14:11
![Wolverhampton Wanderers' Hwang Hee-Chan scores a goal against Newcastle on Saturday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2021/10/05/c307efed-f8f2-4c88-81d8-cdce7fdd871f.jpg)
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Hwang Hee-Chan scores a goal against Newcastle on Saturday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]
Premier League pundit Garth Crooks named both Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan to his team of the week on Sunday, picking the two Korean stars for the best XI based on their performance over the weekend.
While Son of Tottenham Hotspur is a regular pick for best XI lists across the league, the explosive arrival of Wolverhampton Wanderer's Hwang in the league has immediately doubled the Korean presence among the top players.
Crooks praised Hwang's partnership with Raul Jimenez, who set up both goals Hwang scored against Newcastle on Saturday.
"It looks like Wolves have found a finisher to go with Raul Jimenez," Crooks wrote on the BBC. "Both men were in devastating form against Newcastle.
"Hwang finished superbly on two occasions and both were supplied courtesy of the bang-in-form Jimenez. Wolves look so much better with a fit Jimenez back in the side but Hwang's ability to finish could become a major asset."
Hwang has scored three goals in four Premier League games with Wolves, scoring the club's very first goal of the 2021 season and bagging both goals in their first home win. The explosive start to this Premier League career has quickly earned him praise from all corners including, on Saturday, the opposing manager.
For Son, Crooks' praise focused on his play-making ability rather than goals scored. Although he has been quite in front of the goal in recent fixtures, Son was praised for his part in Tottenham's 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, where he played a crucial role in both goals.
"Against a very dangerous Aston Villa outfit both the team and the manager held their nerve in what was a very tricky fixture," Crooks wrote. "Harry Kane looked much more like himself, but it was Son Heung-min who provided two important assists for Hojbjerg and Lucas Moura."
Crooks wasn't the only commentator to praise the Korean pair. The Independent's "Fantasy Premier League team of the week" also included both players.
Like many other articles, The Independent pointed out that although Kane remains in the Spurs squad, the leadership role has started to shift to Son.
"While Harry Kane is yet to score this season, Son has delivered meaningful returns in four of the six matches he has played in so far this campaign - which is a solid haul despite the lingering questions of Nuno Espirito Santo’s playing style," The Independent said.
The article also praised Hwang, calling his two goals on Saturday a "breakthrough performance from the low-cost attacker."
BY JIM BULLEY [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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