Manchester City defender Nathan Ake has praised Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min for stepping up in the absence of Harry Kane.
Son Heung-min has really stepped up his game this season as the spearhead of the Tottenham Hotspur attack.
That is the verdict of Manchester City defender Nathan Ake as he prepares to take on Son at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.
Spurs head to Manchester today with Ange Postecoglou looking to snap a run of three straight defeats.
Tottenham’s form has completely flipped due to a number of injuries and suspensions in recent weeks, and few are giving them a chance of beating Pep Guardiola’s City.
Nathan Ake praises Tottenham star Son Heung-min
Tottenham have had a decent record against City over the years and Son Heung-min has been a key part of that.
Son has bagged seven goals and three assists in 17 games against City, helping Tottenham to nine wins in the process.
The South Korean star has enjoyed a strong start to this season, hitting eight goals in 13 appearances.
Manchester City are well aware of Son’s quality and he has now been praised by defender Nathan Ake ahead of today’s clash.
Speaking to The Sunday Mirror (03/12, p67), Ake drew attention to how Son has ‘stepped up’ this season following Harry Kane’s exit.
Ake praised Kane but feels that Tottenham have other quality players, such as Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson.
The Dutchman adds that Tottenham are playing ‘really good’ football this season and will pose a real threat against City today.
“Clearly, Harry Kane was scoring a lot of goals for Spurs and if you take that away from any side, it will be felt,” said Ake. “But, although Kane has gone, they have bought some new players like James Maddison, who are really good. Maddison was playing really well before he was injured – but there are other players who have stepped up and are scoring goals.”
“Son Heung-min has stepped up, there is also Dejan Kulusevski who has done really well, and Brennan Johnson has come in and done well. They have a lot of players who are top players. It was never just about Kane. They are playing some really good football this season. We know they had a few injuries, which has made it difficult, but even then they are playing great stuff, so it will be a tough game. We have to make sure we are ready and fresh,” he added.
Son looking to bounce back from frustration
Tottenham lost 2-1 at home to Aston Villa last week and it was a frustrating afternoon for Son.
Son found the net three times against Villa but all three goals were ruled out for offside, meaning he is now in something of a mini-drought.
The 31-year-old has gone three Premier League games without a goal now and will be looking to get back on track against City today.
Tottenham will have full belief in Son to get back on the scoresheet again soon enough; we have seen his quality for years now having arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for £22million in 2015.
Whether it’s today or later in December, we think Son will be back among the goals soon – and Ake will have to be in top form today in order to nullify the Spurs star.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
