Son Heung-min: Can the Tottenham Hotspur striker become first Asian to win Premier League Golden Boot award?

The South Koran has netted 21 times in 35 league appearances so far and is just one strike away from Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in the top-scorers list.

File photo - Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min; Credit: Twitter/@SpursOfficial
By Sreejith C R | May 17, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min is having one of the best goal-scoring season of his career, having netted 21 goals in 34 Premier League appearances so far. The South Korean is only one strike away from equalling Mohamed Salah, who is on top of the goal-scorers list. With just one league game remaining, and Salah’s participation on final matchday doubtful, because of injury, Son has an opportunity to become the first Asian to win the Premier League golden boot award when Spurs play Norwich City on Sunday. In the last match against Burnley, Harry Kane’s lone goal from the penalty spot helped Spurs move two points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.

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Park Ji-sung had a remarkable stint with Manchester United

Apart from Son, the other Asian player to have had a remarkable career in England’s top flight was also a South Korean, Park Ji-sung. The midfielder had an eight-year stint in the Premier League, playing seven of those seasons for Manchester United. Park joined the Red Devils in 2005 and went on to have a stellar career, winning four Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, three League cups and a FIFA Club World Cup. Park scored 20 goals in 133 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils.

Son has grown into a reliable goal-scorer

Meanwhile Son joined Spurs in August 2015 from Bayern Leverkusen. After a poor first season where he managed to score just four league goals, he has grown into one of most reliable attackers in English top flight football. The 2016-17 season was a breakthrough season for Son, finding the back of the net 21 times across all competitions and from then on, he has delivered in every single season. Last campaign, Son finished with 17 goals and 10 assists in 37 league appearances, fourth in the race for the golden boot, which was won by his teammate Kane, who netted 23 times. 

Son has come out of Kane’s shadows

The 29-year-old has been a consistent and reliable player for Spurs since the 2016-17 season, scoring more than 10 league goals in every campaign since then. Moreover, Son has managed to come out of star striker Kane’s shadows this term. The England captain has had a below par campaign by his standard, netting 16 league goals so far. Under head coach Antonio Conte, Kane has become a very good playmaker, allowing the likes of Son and Dejan Kulusevski to excel around him. 

Spurs are inches away from Champions League qualification

Next up, Spurs will travel to Carrow road and a victory will guarantee them a top four finish no matter what happens in other fixtures. Conte has done a fabulous job to turn their fortunes since taking charge of the club in November, registering 16 wins in 20 Premier League games. Meanwhile Arsenal, who lost 2-0 to Newcastle on Monday night, missed the chance to leapfrog Spurs and no longer have things in their own hands, when it comes to Champions League qualification. 





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