Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte has said he disagrees with the father of Son Heung-min over the forward’s status as “world class”.
Son’s dad says last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner has still not done enough to be considered among the top players in the world and must do “10 per cent more” and “play a solid role in one of the world’s top clubs” to be considered “world class”.
Son Woong-jong’s comments have sparked debate in South Korea, where the forward is the star attraction of Spurs’ pre-season tour.
But asked if he considers Son “world class”, Conte was in no doubt that the 29-year-old could star for any team in the world.
“Every time I had the pleasure to speak about him I can tell only positive things, because we are talking about a world class player,” Conte told reporters at a press conference in Seoul, where Spurs face a K-League XI tomorrow.
“He is one of the best players, and I think maybe many people underrated him. Sonny can play in any team in the world. He knows my thoughts about him.
“We are very lucky he stays with us and I’m very lucky to have him in my team. It’s a pleasure when you have a player like him. He’s always with a smile and you can see during the training sessions, always a great attitude, great commitment.
“He is top class, has fantastic quality, right foot, left foot, he runs a lot. I think it’s very difficult to ask for something more from your player. For sure we are talking about a world class player, one of the best in the world.”
