07 December 2023 , 07:00
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Ange Postecoglou has praised Son Heung-min's elite-level Premier League quality - but believes even the South Korean would want more firepower at Tottenham.
The Spurs boss plans to beef up his attack but - whatever happens - Son will be a key component of Postecoglu’s plans. “Yeah, he will be a very important part of what we're building,” said the Australian. "But that doesn't mean we wouldn't sign another striker because I think even Sonny would demand that of me.
“If you're going to build a team that's going to win things, I've always found your best players want more good players in the building. They're not comfortable, they don't want to be comfortable. They don't want to just be sitting there saying, ‘Well, I'm the man’.
“They want to know that they're going to be surrounded by other players who are just as motivated for success.” Son, 31, heads into battle against West Ham as the Premier League ’s third top scorer so far this season with nine goals.
For club and country, the Spurs captain has failed to score just four times in his last 12 games. And he scored the first goal in Tottenham’s defiant 3-3 draw at champions Manchester City last weekend, even though the north Londoners remain ravaged by injury.
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Even worse for West Ham, Son has a fine record against them with five goals and three assists in their eight Premier League home meetings. He has scored at least once in each of his last three.
“I've been fortunate to work with some good ones,” said Postecoglu. “But he's elite in every aspect of attacking players who've played in the Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou has been impressed with his Tottenham captain this season (Sky Sports)“I'd be very surprised if by the time he's finished - which is well down the track - he's not up there as one of the outstanding strikers because a lot of his career has played out wide and he’s still been a goal threat the whole time.
“Now I'm putting him inside and that's why he's got nine goals already for the year. I think he's the leading goalscorer for offside goals as well! Just working with him every day, the example he sets, as a person as much as a footballer is outstanding.
“It's inspiring for me when you see a person who, for all intents and purposes, has climbed a mountain many times in terms of his own football pedigree but still he loves what he does.
“Every day he feels it's a blessing and that rubs off on other people. Then he plays the game like that, running around like he’s a kid, literally just chasing balls down. That still inspires me and I’m very grateful to be working with him.”