What makes Son world class for me is his exceptional control of the ball at high speed allied to his outstanding shot accuracy with both feet. Indeed, when it comes to shot accuracy, Son is way ahead of the rest, as is borne out by this BBC list of current top strikers' PL shot accuracy stats for 2021/22
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Shot accuracy % / player / (goals scored)
70% - Son (19)
59% - De Bruyne (11)
59% - Salah (22)
58% - Mane (14)
58% - Zaha (12)
57% - Ronaldo (18)
55% - Saka (11)
54% - Kane (13)
51% - Mahrez (11)
50% - Toney (12)
49% - Jota (15)
Son also tops the BBC percentage charts for 'Goal Conversion' (meaning presumably the number of chances each player converts into goals).
But of course, even world class players have their weaknesses. Long-standing fans will remember only too well how Glenn Hoddle got pilloried left, right and centre for his supposedly poor work-rate, yet few would deny that GHod was world class.
One of Son's biggest weaknesses is perceived to be his vulnerability in possession. All too often he seems to yield possession way too cheaply. But I would argue that in many if not most instances, this is because he is actually given little or no chance. The moment he receives the ball he will be surrounded by two, three, or more opponents all hell bent on unloading him at any cost. Coaches know that once he is allowed a bit of space he can be lethal, therefore they doubtless instruct their players to either hound him down or, failing that, hack him down rather than let him get away from them.
It's why I believe we ought cut him a bit more slack than he is usually allowed.
The fact is that in Son we have one VERY special player, so for me it's just sad that some fans seem unwilling to give him full credit.
