Son Heung-min's dad has urged his son to become a world-class player at "one of the world's top clubs" - throwing his Tottenham future in doubt.
Many critics would argue Son is already world-class player after a sensational season at Spurs. The South Korea international, 29, scored 23 Premier League goals to share the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah and help Antonio Conte's side finish fourth.
But Son is yet to win a major trophy at club level. The forward was part of the Tottenham squad that finished second in the Premier League in 2016-17. He also helped them reach the Champions League final in 2018-19 and the EFL Cup final in 2020-21.
"He must work harder and make more progress," Son Woong-jung - an ex-forward himself - told CGTN via GOAL. "If he is satisfied with what he has achieved now, crisis is on the way. He must always try to do better to stay in the best form, don't you think?
"Instead of being happy to stay where he is, I always want him to be 10 per cent better... he must be able to play a solid role in one of the world's top clubs. That's when he will become a world class player. He scored a lot of goals this year, but it doesn't mean he will do the same next year."
Tottenham can't be classed as one of the world's top clubs at this moment in time. They've only recently returned to the Champions League following a two-year exile and have won just two EFL Cups since 1991, lifting their most recent trophy in 2008.
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Yet they have the potential to firmly establish themselves among Europe's elite. Tottenham have one of the best stadiums and training grounds in Europe, while Conte is regarded by many critics as an elite coach after winning five league titles in management.
Spurs also have some fine players in Rodrigo Bentancur, Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane and others. Tottenham chief Daniel Levy will be determined to keep hold of Son as the forward still has three years left on his contract, signing an extension last June.
"There was no decision," said Son after the news of his renewal broke. "It was easy. I'm so happy to be here... it was already a big honour to play here for six years. The club have showed me massive, massive respect and obviously I'm very happy to be here."
Nevertheless, the opinion of Son's dad won't be welcomed by Tottenham supporters. Speaking last December, Son's compatriot Park Ji-Sung urged him to leave the north London club and join his former side Manchester United.
"He has already proved himself in the Premier League and I believe he’s good enough to do very well at United," said Park. "The only minor issue would be he may not get his favourite No.7 shirt as Ronaldo is already there!"
Although Son is yet to win a trophy at Tottenham, he has received plenty of individual honours. Three-time Premier League Player of the Month won FIFA's Puskas Award - the prize given to the best goal scored in a calendar year - for his outstanding solo effort against Burnley in December 2019 and was named in the PFA's Team of the year in 2020-21.
