Who is he? Where does he play?
Young and plying his trade in Germany, you'd be delighted to know he's not one of their nimble, highly-technical youth products who have been bred to lead the land of Vorsprung Durch Technik into an era of World domination like the second coming of the Aryan philosophy. Oh no, this lad is a well-built South Korean striker playing for Hamburg.
What does he offer Hamburg then?
Creativity and goals mainly, from his usual position on the right side of attacking midfield or as a centre-forward. He has 12 goals this season as Hamburg have struggled in the Bundesliga, showing his poaching quality when used as a central-forward. Coach Thorsten Fink, who gave the Korean a chance when Mladen Petric and Paolo Guerrero left last summer, prefers to field him on the right side of his attacking 4-3-3. He cannot be described as a "natural winger" however, as the opportunity to beat the full-back conventionally is often sacrificed for the chance to cut inside to get shots away, he has hit 2.4 shots per game this season as opposed to 1.4 dribbles. Fink has realised that this means the left-footed Son is more at home on the right side.
His direct quality is an asset to Hamburg, though Son does need to work on his vision and productive talent in the final third, as just 1 assist and 0.5 chances created per game suggests a scarcity of creativeness in his game.
"He knows the route to goal" then, to borrow the cliche?
He certainly does, but he has also developed an ability to drop deeper to run at defenders with his impressive pace and energy. Blessed with deceivingly brilliant technique, he can glide past players and act as the catalyst for Hamburg attacks, in much the same way as fellow Asian Kagawa did for Dortmund. Possessing immense close control and a robust physical frame, he can take the ball whilst holding off defenders, offering a clear outlet for Hamburg to launch attacks. His relentless work-rate and strong work-ethic also causes him to be a nightmare for defenders off the ball, chasing and harrying them as Hamburg press high up the field.
Might he be moving on in the summer?
With doubts about his new contract in Germany, Hamburg general manager Frank Arnesen has revealed that may be a possibility with Arsenal and Tottenham both in the frame for the striker. Hamburg are struggling financially and goal.com believe that he may be enticed away for as little as £3 million after the club failed to secure European football for next season. Borussia Dortmund are believed to be keen on keeping Son in Germany, though Spurs are also intently linked on the Asian star who could follow in the footsteps of Kagawa and Park-Ji-Sung in making a success of himself in England. He certainly has the talent to do so.
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