Tottenham’s youth key to club’s high-pressing game, says attacker Son Heung-min

TOTTENHAM’S youth is the key behind their high-tempo pressing game which will be on show here in Melbourne, according to attacker Son Heung-min.

Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-Min.

TOTTENHAM’S youth is the key behind their high-tempo pressing game which will be on show here in Melbourne, according to attacker Son Heung-min.

Spurs took Leicester City to the wire in last season’s title race before fading in the final weeks but it hasn’t deterred manager Mauricio Pochettino from his youth-focused signing policy heading into his third season.

Pochettino signed the Dutch Eredivisie’s golden boot Vincent Janssen (22), midfielder Victor Wanyama (25) from Southampton while France youth attacker Georges Kevin-Nkoudou (21) is on the verge of signing.

Spurs’ five England players at Euro 2016 (Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose), who have not travelled to Melbourne, are an average age of 23.

Son, who turned 24 a fortnight ago, praised Pochettino’s managerial style and said the on-field tactics suit the aggressive young squad.

“The players have a lot of respect for him and he’s doing very well with the players and he wants to play similar to Leverkusen, very high pressing,’’ Son said.

Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-Min.

“This system is what I want to play and the many young players want to play like that and the plan is very good for us.’’

Son was a $44m signing from Bayer Leverkusen last January from German giants Bayer Leverkusen but his entrance was carefully managed by Pochettino as he featured in most games but only started 13 of 28 Premier League appearances.

The Korean quickly settled and finished the season with a bang, finishing with eight goals in all competitions playing mainly in a wide role.

While starring with Hamburg and then Leverkusen, Son admitted moving from Germany to England required adaptation.

“There are many differences. The Premier League is more powerful and more one v one and quick,’’ he said.

“The Bundesliga is slower but more tactical. And in England the referees don’t give as many fouls.’’

Spurs’ International Champions Cup visit to Melbourne, starting with Tuesday night’s clash against Juventus at the MCG, isn’t Son’s first visit to Australia.

He scored late in the 2015 Asian Cup final to almost break Socceroos hearts before James Troisi sealed a memorable stoppage time win at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

While thrilled to be returning to Australia, Son, who’s scored 16 goals in 48 games for Korea, said Melbourne held special memories for him.

“I’m very excited. In the Asian Cup I played against Uzbekistan and I scored two goals and I have just good memories of Melbourne,’’ Son said.

“I’m very excited to be here. The weather was nice, it’s a bit colder now but it is nice to be here with the squad.’’

Originally published as Tottenham’s youth key to club’s high-pressing game, says attacker Son Heung-min