Son Heung-min exclusive: Tottenham Hotspur captain ignoring 'outside noise' as he chases 'perfect puzzle' in Europa League final

React to this story

Son Heung-min has said ending his wait for a trophy with Tottenham Hotspur by winning the UEFA Europa League would complete the "perfect puzzle". The Spurs captain arrived in north London a decade ago but is yet to claim any silverware, with the club's wait for a major trophy dating back to 2008. Despite a poor season in the Premier League, they can end the drought with European glory.

‘Missing a piece of the puzzle’ – Son refutes Spurs legend talk without trophy

Video credit: TNT Sports

Son Heung-min has said winning the UEFA Europa League would complete the "perfect puzzle" of his 10 years at Tottenham Hotspur.

The South Korean has not won a trophy since arriving in north London in 2015, with Spurs failing to claim a major title since 2008.

However, they have a chance to bring the drought to an end next Wednesday as they take on Manchester United in the final of Europe’s second-tier competition, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on May 21.

Transfers

Man Utd, Arsenal target impresses scouts with perfect hat-trick - Paper Round

9 hours ago

Son believes his time at Spurs is "missing one piece" and a trophy would complete the "perfect puzzle".

He added in an interview with TNT Sports that without a trophy he could not be classed as a Spurs legend despite "scoring many goals and contributing many things".

The current Spurs captain exclusively told TNT Sports: "The 10 years have been fantastic [but] obviously missing something.

"When you're thinking about the puzzle, [it is] just missing one piece that makes the perfect puzzle. So I can make it this year, next Wednesday."

Highlights: Solanke and Porro send Spurs to Bilbao

Video credit: TNT Sports

He added: "The boys want to win something for me, I can see that, I feel it, and I really, really appreciate that and also the fans.

"But for me, I think it's not all about me, I want to do it for them. I want to do it for the team, the staff and the fans."

Reflecting on his time at the club, the 32-year-old said: "[It has] gone really fast, to be fair, and look, I think there's no hiding - I stayed here because I want to win, because nobody has done it since I joined.

"The last trophy was 2008, but I stayed here because I wanted to do something that nobody has done. This year, we might change this, this history."

I don't listen to outside noise - Son reflects on poor Premier League campaign

Spurs are enduring a difficult campaign domestically, currently sitting 17th in the Premier League table, just one place above the relegation zone.

Their defeat against Crystal Palace at the weekend was their 20th in the league this season, which is the most amount of losses they have suffered in a single Premier League campaign.

It has also been a disappointing season on an individual level for Son, having scored just seven goals in the league and being on the receiving end of criticism from sections of his own fans.

Son admitted it has been a "very difficult season" but said he does not listen to "outside noise".

He also shared that it can be "hard to control" the emotions of the dressing room after different results, given the youthful nature of the squad, but said the low average age of the team could also see them quickly turn fortunes in their favour.

The winger said: "Because we have such a young group of players, I think they could [have] a quick turnaround if you play well.

"They're going really high up, and when they play down, they're really in the dark, there is no between.

"So sometimes for me it's very hard to control it, but I try to always help the team."

‘He deserves more’ – Son insists one trophy ‘not good enough’ for former team-mate Kane

Video credit: TNT Sports

Discussing his own form and criticism, he said: "I don't really listen to the outside noise, I know my quality, I know my ability.

"I've been here 10 years, very consistent, and people can say what they want, but they don't see how I work, how I grow up, and I still think that I have a quality, that I have no doubt.

"I'm concentrating on my job, I'm concentrating on my training session, I'm concentrating on my game.

"I care about my team-mates and my staff, that they'll be successful because they work hard."

Watch the Premier League and UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers