Son Reveals He Nearly Left Spurs In 2016

By Joshua Walters

Tottenham Hotspurs ace Son Heung-Min has revealed he wanted to leave the club back in 2016 but is now proud that he did not.

The South Korean tells the Evening Standard he is indebted to Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, who believed in him and ensured that he stayed.

Son joined Tottenham in 2015 from German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen but went to Pochettino a year later to inform him he wanted to leave back to Deutschland because he was struggling to fit into life in London.

Pochettino, however, impressed on him to stay, and the South Korean has strived to become one of the club's indispensable players, contributing 16 goals and nine assists so far this season.

"I came close to leaving," the forward, who had then started just 13 league games at the time, told The Evening Standard ahead of Saturday's north London derby against Arsenal.

"I went to the gaffer's office and told him I didn't feel comfortable and wanted to leave for Germany."

"The gaffer trusted me and I am so grateful,' he explained. 'He made my dream come true. I am more than grateful to him - it is difficult to say. I have worked for four years with the gaffer. It is just amazing." 

"I think I am the happiest guy in the world, especially in the Premier League. It is an honour to play in the Premier League."

Son, who would be in action against Arsenal on Sunday,  is also confident his side can bounce back from back-to-back defeats away at Burnley and Chelsea which has left a dent on their chase for a top-four finish.

"The last two games weren't what we expect but it has passed," Son said. "Arsenal is important because, after two losses, we need to show our character."

"For our fans as well, we have to make them happy and show how good we are. We don't have to worry about it, we just have to enjoy (playing) on the pitch and show what we can."

"There are 10 more games. We try to get as many points as possible, then we will see what happens."