Antonio Conte says ‘underrated’ Son Heung-min is ‘world-class player’

Football

Published: 12 Jul. 2022, 17:24

Antonio Conte says ‘underrated’ Son Heung-min is ‘world-class player’

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte, left, and Son Heung-min speak with press at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte praised Son Heung-min during a press conference at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul on Tuesday, calling the Korean forward "underrated" and a "world-class player."

"Every time I have the pleasure to speak about him, I can only say positive positive things because we are talking about a world-class player," Conte said at a press conference Tuesday ahead of Tottenham's Wednesday exhibition match against Team K League.

"One of the best players, I think that many people underrate him, I think Sonny can play in any scene in the world."

Conte has regularly made his opinion of Son clear. It took Conte just six weeks after he took the helm at Spurs to call Son a "world-class player," describing him as a pleasure to coach and one of the top players in the league in December last year.

"We are very lucky that he stays with us," Conte said. "I am very lucky to have him in my team. It is a pleasure to have a player like him. He is always with a smile and you can say that he always has great attitude and great commitment."

Son Heung-min, left, and Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on May 1. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Son has also benefited from his relationship with the Italian manager, scoring 23 goals this season and winning the Golden Boot to prove that Conte was right.

Not only that but last season, Son became the highest most two-footed goalscorer in Premier League history.

This May, Son pulled off a tour de force to lead Tottenham to a 3-1 win over Leicester City, scoring two goals with his left foot despite being predominantly right-footed.

At the time, Conte revealed in a post-match interview that he had asked Son, "Which is your favorite foot — right or left?"

In terms of proportion, Son has the highest proportion of goals scored with his weaker foot of all players in the Premier League.

"He is top class and is fantastic in anything, left foot, right foot and he has given a lot," said Conte on Tuesday.

"It's very difficult to ask for something more. For sure, we are talking about a world-class player, one of the best in the world."

Conte and the squad are currently in Korea to play two exhibition games — against Team K League on Tuesday and Sevilla on July 16.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]