Jermaine Jenas believes Son Heung-min’s recent form has proved Pep Guardiola was wrong to label Tottenham “the Harry Kane team” last season.
In the absence of Kane, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, Son has scored in each of his last four appearances for Spurs since returning from the Asian Cup.
What did Guardiola say about Spurs and Kane? Five things you need to know…
- In October 2017, Guardiola called Tottenham “the Harry Kane team” when listing the sides in the Premier League title race.
- Kane had scored six goals in his first seven league appearances of the 2017/18 season when Guardiola made the comment.
- A year later, the Manchester City manager admitted he made a mistake. “They have shown me how wrong I was,” he said.
- It is hoped Kane could return for Spurs’ Premier League meeting with Burnley on February 23.
- Son, who has been playing up front during Kane’s lay-off, has scored 16 goals in his last 16 appearances for Spurs.
Son was on the scoresheet once again as Tottenham beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0 in the Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday night.
And Jenas believes the South Korean has shown up Guardiola’s initial jibe with his performances over the last two seasons.
“Son, in my eyes, he is arguably Spurs’ best player for the last two years,” Jenas told Goal.
“Harry Kane had a below-par four or five months leading into the World Cup and that was partly due to injury. Within that period Son has been a shining light.”
He added: “It is interesting when you hear people describe Spurs as the ‘Harry Kane team’. If you look at most teams, they all have a star player. Whether it is Mohamed Salah at Liverpool or Eden Hazard at Chelsea.
“The flip side to that, would Christian Eriksen not get into the top sides in Europe? Would Dele Alli not get into the top sides in Europe? Lucas Moura was at PSG and they aren’t exactly average. There are plenty of players with that star power.”
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How important is Kane to Tottenham?
Kane has scored more Premier League goals than any other Spurs player so far this season, bagging 14 of their 54 – but it clearly isn’t a majority.
Indeed, Tottenham have shared the goals around the team this term, especially in attack.
Son Heung-min has found the net 11 times in the league, Lucas Moura has six, while Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen have five each.
That said, Spurs do struggle to retain the ball in the final third effectively when Kane is out of the team. The 25-year-old’s hold-up play is second to none and he often brings others into play.
Tottenham have clearly found a way to win without Kane, but they are much better off when he is fit to play.
The post Son Heung-min shows up Pep Guardiola’s Spurs jibe, says Jenas appeared first on Squawka News.
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