Son Heung-min wasn't the only South Korean Tottenham fans were keeping a close eye on during their World Cup Group H clash against Uruguay on Thursday afternoon. The game at the Education City Stadium also presented them with the perfect opportunity to see how Kim Min-jae fared after plenty of speculation regarding a move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the past two years.
Excelling for Chinese side Beijing Guoan, Spurs had been keeping tabs on the powerful centre-back but elected against making a move for him as he instead headed for Fenerbahce in August 2021. Talk of a switch to the capital would not go away, however, as he continued to flourish at his new club, with another move deservedly coming to fruition 11 months later as he signed on the dotted line for Napoli.
Kim was not high up Tottenham's list of potential centre-back signings but he was someone of interest and a player they had monitored. Missing the chance to grab a transfer bargain one year ago, the 26-year-old's outstanding form for the Naples-based club has left many fans questioning why Fabio Paratici didn't take his chance and pounce for the South Korean.
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Playing a major part in Napoli's unbeaten start to the league season and helping them breeze into the Champions League Round of 16, Kim continues to find his name in the headlines regarding a transfer but this time he will cost a club serious money with his transfer value skyrocketing. It will only continue to increase if he follows up a standout display in South Korea's next two group games and potentially beyond if they do manage to progress from Group H.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez discovered early on why the centre-back is nicknamed "Monster" with Kim getting the better of him a few yards in front of goal. Creating an opening after Facundo Pellistri had nodded down Jose Maria Gimenez's crossfield ball, Nunez ran off Kim's shoulder but the defender ensured his opponent didn't convert with a nudge that knocked him off balance.
He also left his mark on Luis Suarez ten minutes before half-time as he was straight into the back of the experienced striker as soon as he received possession on the edge of the box to come out with the ball. Both strikers were getting very little change out of Kim as Uruguay looked to find a way past a stubborn South Korean side.
The highly-rated centre-back also impressed with his range of passing during the encounter, notably a raking pass with no backlift to spread play out wide to left-back Kim Jin-su. Kim, who was a commanding figure throughout, used the ball well when it was at his feet and also demonstrated on a couple of times that he can push forward with it, just as Cristian Romero likes to do for Tottenham.
Letting Nunez know he was there early in the second half with the Liverpool man going for the ball in the corner, the big-money signing did get the better of the centre-back on one occasion on the hour mark as a turn of pace saw the Napoli man slip and go to ground. His ankle did appear to go from underneath him and it resulted in Kim requiring treatment for a minute or two before he was able to continue.
Impressing on his World Cup debut with a strong showing at the back, the Tongyeong-born player demonstrated to his suitors just what he can offer if they do decide to launch a future move for him. Kim would certainly fit in well at Tottenham, with his ability to not only defend but also get on the ball and play it forward certainly something that appeals to Antonio Conte in his defenders.
Earning rave reviews in his 20 appearances for Napoli so far, Kim is going to find himself in the headlines if he continues to go from strength to strength at the World Cup. Missing out on a bargain during his time at Beijing Guoan, Tottenham are going to have to fork out a pretty penny now if they want to finally lure him to north London.
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