Former Tottenham full-back Lee Young-Pyo has heaped praise on current ace Son Heung-Min, claiming that the South Korean has changed the way that football fans perceive Asian football.
Son has had a stellar season for Spurs, and his compatriot still believes he has more to offer.
Speaking to Goal, he said: “He is very happy at Tottenham, enjoying the moment. He especially likes the people around Tottenham, just like I did when I was playing for Spurs.
“Son’s every game is affecting South Korean fans, including me. Korean fans, and Asian fans, feel proud of the fact that there’s an Asian player who can score more than 20 goals in the Premier League and Champions League. I believe, thanks to Son, European fans’ view of Asian players has changed a lot.
“Son has already proved himself there, and I believe there are more things to come from him.”
OPINION
Lee would know better than most about the impact that Son is having back in his home country, but it’s fair to say that he is far and away the most impressive Asian player in the Premier League at the moment. Even looking back, the only player from that part of the world who has had a comparable impact would be Park Ji-Sung at Manchester United, and Son is certainly approaching a point where he is being viewed with that same exalted status that his predecessor was. The Spurs forward can take a game by the scruff off the neck and win it singlehandedly. That sort of talent is rare anywhere in the world, but for a country like South Korea, for which the Premier League is a massive import and for which world beating talent is at a premium, Son’s skills make him even more special. Hopefully Lee is right, and he can kick on again next term. If he can, he will be regarded as one of the most impressive players in world football.