Son Heung-min has admitted that Gian Piero Ventrone will be "very proud" of the Tottenham team after they secured a slender 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Such a testing week for all at the club following the fitness coach's passing, Spurs claimed all three points at the Amex courtesy of Harry Kane's first-half header.
It was an extremely emotional night for the Tottenham players and staff on the south coast, with Antonio Conte seen wiping away tears after the minute's applause in honour of Ventrone and Kane visibly emotional in his post-match interview with Sky Sports. Managing to dig deep at such a tough ground and leave with an important win, Son paid tribute to his close friend when speaking after the victory.
"It was really tough. Not only for me but every club member because he was such a special man," he admitted. "To prepare for the game was incredibly hard but we did it for him and probably he's up there looking down and he'll be very proud of us. I think he was the biggest fan for us on Saturday."
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In his tribute to Ventrone on Instagram on Thursday, Son revealed that the Italian had helped him through the "hardest times". Admitting that it "hurts talking about him" following his shock death, the 30-year-old confessed that he wants to keep the "special moment" to himself.
"Look, I don't want to share this with anybody because it's just a special moment for me," he revealed. "He's been there for me in tough moments, in good moments. We celebrated some unbelievable moments and some achievements of mine individually last season and some team achievements also.
"He was keeping me always level and we had a really good relationship. This is not for any other people, this is for me really really special. It just hurts talking about him."
Linking up with Kane countless times in the past, Son's assist for the England captain was the first time he had teed up his teammate for a goal this season. Operating in a front two rather than the usual front three following a change in formation by Conte, the South Korean feels that they could have scored another goal if luck was on their side.
"The relationship with me and Harry has never changed. We're always talking about how to improve and create many chances for the team," said the attacker. "We played a little bit closer today and it was good.
"I think if we weren't a little bit unlucky we could have scored another goal, me and Harry, but I think we just have to improve ourselves. I'm very happy for Harry to score another important goal for the team, I'm ready to help him and I'm sure he's ready to help the team and me."
After three away games on the trot, the Lilywhites return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday evening when they host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League. Claiming they were "not happy" with last week's result in Germany following a 0-0 draw, Spurs now have the opportunity to put themselves in a very good position to qualify with consecutive home matches against Die Adler and Sporting CP.
"Everyone knows how important that game is. To be honest we were not happy with the result at Frankfurt," said Son. "I think it's a really good point because a point away from home is always difficult in the Champions League and any league game as well. But we had a chance to win the game so we were really frustrated, everybody.
"I think the two home games, because we played two really difficult away games in the Champions League, we should show we're a really strong team like today. And it's a massive game."
Tottenham's schedule is extremely punishing at present with games every few days in the Premier League and Champions League up until football pauses for the World Cup midway through November. Despite barely having any breathing time with the fixtures coming thick and fast, Son believes it is something they should enjoy as they are living their dream.
"It is hard to be honest. Travelling and being away from home, it's not easy. But we're born to do this and everyone dreams about it so we don't have time to complain," he admitted. "When you think about, when you're a kid what was your dream? Probably everyone is going to say playing in the Premier League. So we're living the dream and we can never forget these moments.
"I know there are tired moments and it's mentally and physically really, really difficult. But we were born to do this, we love to do this and we should enjoy it. And obviously the more you enjoy it, the more happiness will be here. I know it's tough moments but we should bring more happiness and it will be more enjoyable."
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