Monday 19 September 2016 10:19, UK
Son Heung-min's man-of-the-match display against Sunderland proves he should now start for Tottenham Hotspur, according to Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry.
Son Heung-min gave Sunderland right-back Jason Denayer a torrid afternoon on his Premier League debut for the visitors as Spurs won 1-0 at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
In fact, the only thing missing from the South Korea international's eye-catching performance in the capital was a goal. The closest the 24-year-old came was when he struck the outside of the post six minutes before half-time.
"He was incredible today," said Henry. "He put a couple of great crosses into the box and he should have had an assist if people went to meet his ball.
"He did not also score, but other than that I thought he destroyed Jason Denayer on the side, or whoever was in his zone.
"I mean you [Niall Quinn] would have liked to have been on the end of some of his crosses there."
Meanwhile, fellow Sky Sports pundit Niall Quinn was equally impressed with Son Heung-min's showing on the left against the Black Cats.
I think after what he has been doing, especially against Stoke the other week, now he is showing that he deserves to play
"He was so energetic, so tenacious in everything he did and he did it with high skill," he said. "The only thing he probably lacked was a good chance on goal.
"The nearest got a deflection off his own player when it was goal bound, but he was creative, buzzy, everything was quick.
"And the run on the outside at times helps as well. He did got get much help from Jan Vertonghen at full back, so he had to do it all by himself.
"But Denayer will be glad to see the back of him anyway as he gets the bus back up to Sunderland thinking: 'I hope I do not have to come up against players like him all the time.'"
Despite Son Heung-min having been reportedly set to leave Tottenham in the recent transfer window, Henry believes his recent performances, including a brace at Stoke City last time out, will now have convinced Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino he is worth a starting place in the side.
"He looked like it [to be leaving Spurs in the summer]," Henry said.
"But I think after what he has been doing, especially against Stoke the other week, and now he is showing that he deserves to play in that team."
And with Spurs frontman Harry Kane expected to be facing a period on the sidelines after being stretchered off with an ankle injury late on against Sunderland, Son could now even get a chance in his more favoured central striking role.
