Tottenham are preparing to play Borussia Dortmund in the first stage of the Champions League knockout rounds in what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting fixtures of the season.
For fans and neutrals alike, there’s a whole host of attacking talent due to be on show, with Son Heung-min and Jadon Sancho heading our list as the two ‘must watch’ players.
Both individuals operate similar roles in the teams on the left and right wing, both use their pace and technical ability to skip past defenders, and both are supremely talented in front of goal when scoring and creating.
But who does it better?
Son Heung-min
Since signing from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, where he scored 29 goals in 87 games, Son has continually proven why he was one of the finest purchases in Tottenham’s recent history.
The South Korean international has already netted 62 goals and contributed 35 assists in 171 appearances for his current club, which is a remarkable record for a winger, and will be heavily relied on again going into their match against Dortmund due to Spurs’ extensive injury list.
Fans of Premier League football have become accustomed to Son’s dynamic style of play over the years and it will be interesting to see how the Bundesliga leaders cope after
What’s remarkable about Son is that he never seems to tire. Despite rarely ever seeing out a game, presumably for tactical purposes, he continually offers tireless performance after tireless performance. And it’s not just a case of letting him loose for 70 or 80 minutes, there’s genuine quality to his game.
He’s lethal with both feet, making him the model ‘inverted winger’, and can operate in every position in the forward line.
A real problem on his day.
TT Rating: A-
Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho is an inspiration in his own right.
The young winger, who saw his future outside of Manchester City, opted to do something very few English players have done in the past and move abroad to pursue his professional career.
Now, in his second season at Borussia Dortmund, his leap of faith is beginning to pay dividends.
His place in the starting line-up is all but secured after pushing Chelsea-bound Christian Pulisic out of the team, and his excellent performances in the Bundesliga have been noticed and rewarded by England boss Gareth Southgate who gave him his debut in the Nations League late last year.
Sancho is playing with the kind of fearlessness and guile you’d expect from an 18-year old enjoying his football and Dortmund have benefited because of it. The Englishman has already contributed 8 goals and 13 assists in 28 games this season and is on course to helping his team win their first title since 2012.
TT Rating: B+
TT Verdict: Son Heung-min
Son narrowly wins this one for us.
Yes, Sancho is incredibly promising, and genuinely has the world at his feet if he’s consistent enough, but Son has already developed into a top-quality player with some serious talent on his side.
Sancho’s future at Dortmund, who are renowned for promoting youth development, is in very good hands and should this battle have been waged a little later in his career, it would be a very different story – we’re sure.
