Heung-min Son. One of the Premier League’s finest footballers. In fact, the Tottenham No.7 is of the best in Europe.
The 89-cap South Korea international consistently strikes fear into opponents with his direct running and lethal finishing ability.
So, when the Premier League’s Player of the Year shortlist was announced on June 1st, with Son nowhere to be seen, we were baffled.
The 28-year-old scored 17 Premier League goals in 37 appearances this season, while also providing ten assists.
Only Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes scored more goals than Son, all of whom made the shortlist.
Interestingly, only Kane, Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne registered more assists.
All of the aforementioned players made the shortlist, as did the likes of Mason Mount, Jack Grealish, Rùben Dias and Tomáš Souček.
None of those four had better seasons than Son.
The £22 million man has every right to be fuming about his exclusion from the shortlist.
Son’s goal involvements are even more impressive when taken into context
17 goals and ten assists in 37 games is incredible.
However, it’s even more admirable when you realise Son spent most of the season playing under José Mourinho, known for his defensive style.
Tottenham averaged just 11.7 shots per game in the Premier League this season, putting them 12th in the table behind the likes of Brighton.
As a result, goalscoring opportunities did not arise too often for Son, so he had to be efficient in his work going forward.
With all due respect, everyone on the list had a great season.
However, someone like Mount – who scored six goals and recorded six assists – certainly shouldn’t be on there over Son.
Hopefully, his bizarre exclusion can spur him onto bigger and better things next season.
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