Everything Begins With the Fundamentals

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Recently, Son Woong-Jung, a man of few words, published a powerful book on how he raised his world-class son, Son-Heung Min. It is currently a bestseller in South Korea and a book that inspired many including myself with numerous lessons to be learnt; the main being that no matter what situation in life, you must remember the basics and fundamentals.

To the public eye, we know Son as a global superstar with lightning-quick pace & possessing the ability to score with both feet. A humble leader, 100% dedicated to his craft, which is evident in his improvements year after year. A footballing hero for our nation.

But, behind every success story, there is an unseen amount of sacrifice, hard work, blood sweat, and tears involved. And behind Son, there was his father every single step of the way. On to cover of the book, Sonny says, “My football is simply the work of my father.” A homage to his loving father. I pinpoint 3 stories that stood out to me.

Son-Heung Min Story #1

Heung min son winner for Suprs against Villa playing with a broken arm

On 2-16-2020, many will remember the Spurs game at Villa Park. Son fell down in the first minute after a collision with Konsa. After the medical team checked with him, he took some time, before getting up to continue play. For 89 minutes, he continued and scored two, including an incredible late winner that got the away fans and myself going crazy.

You would expect Son Woong-jung to be present at the game, but at that time in the UK, there was a strong typhoon and covid looming. He decided to stay back and told Sonny before the game, “Let’s not get greedy and let go of everything.” But, why would he say such a thing before an important PL game?

Well, at that time, Tottenham had let go of a Spurs Icon in Pochettino, Mourinho had come in, the team had fallen to 14 in the league, and Kane was injured. Son’s father had said that to him because he was afraid Son’s passion and will to carry the team to better results would lead to injury.

When Son came home that night, he had told his father that his arm hurt, but it would be fine the next day. Two days later, it was announced Son had a broken arm. He has played that game with adrenaline running through his veins. Not even a broken arm distracted Son from helping his team win.

Son had known that when he went down something was wrong. But he didn’t want Aston Villa to know of his injury and with Kane out, Sissoko out and Eriksen gone, he knew his absence would he a big loss to the team.

This player, Son, would do anything for his team. Yet, when he finished his season-ending surgery, the media, the fans, as well as the team itself, came right at him, pushing for a return as soon as possible. His father, who had ended his own career due to injury, thought differently. He said to Son, “Heung Min, let’s look far into the distance and rest while you can.”

After a champions league final appearance, the team was declining, key players were injured, coaches switched up, and with a desperate will to lead his team, the timing could not have been worse. Yet, Son Woong Jung stood there again and said, “Bad things can always turn good, and good things can always turn bad.” Lesson #1: Everything begins with the fundamentals.

Son-Heung Min Story #2

In modern football, a forward being able to use both feet is incredibly dangerous. This is because, unless you’re special like Arjen Robben, using both feet keeps the defender confused. Son, a naturally born right-footed player, has an incredible ability to score with his left as evident in the 28+ goals scored with his left foot in the premier league.

When Son Woong-Jung was playing in high school, he one day realized: that if he could use both feet, he could shoot and score from any angle. So, to do this, he used to put pins at the front of his boot, so that it would hurt every time he touched the ball with his right foot. Yes, you heard this right.

He realized the importance of being two-footed and when training Son-Heung Min, although he did not put pins in his right boot, he would make Son subconsciously aware of his left foot. He would make him put his left sock on first, his left boot on first, tie his left shoe first, to name a few examples.

Even when training, Son would always train shooting with his left foot first. A conscious and subconscious approach to using his left foot is the reason, Heung-Min can be a threat with both feet today. Even in an interview Son said that he believes he is 50/50 in terms of his ability to use both feet.

Lesson #2: Everything begins with the fundamentals.

Son-Heung Min Story #3

It’s important to remember Son Woong-Jung is first and foremost, Heung-Min’s father. Behind the limelight, he is there to keep his Son humble. Throughout the book, you will notice how Son’s father is insistent on making a happy and good person out of Sonny, before his football.

We know Son for his infectious smile and positive energy. Loved by everyone in the locker room as well.

A story that stood out to me was that Son Woong-Jung had told Sonny before he became a footballer that if he failed to become a pro because of his ability, he wanted his Son to find a lower-paying job that gave him more time and freedom. The reason? Because after work, you can go play the game you love the most, football.

It’s evident in this story how much Woong-Jung cares about his son. Maybe, the reason behind Heung-Min’s success is more than just the hard work and dedication. But the fact that he grew up in a loving and caring environment created by his father.

Son’s positive energy was evident even this weekend when asked about his performance in the first IB game. Instead of addressing his fantastic performance, he said how much he cares about the bench members and how hurt he is that they’re unable to play. While, Sonny could have moved to a bigger club with higher pay this summer, his loyalty to Spurs (especially with the military Asian cup exemption) was shown as well.

Lesson #3: Everything begins with the fundamentals.

Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 12:

FPL GW 12 Player Watch & Analysis | Callum Wilson
FPL Forwards Analysis Ahead of FPL Gameweek 12
FPL Planned Transfers based on Fixtures Between FPL GW12 to GW17
FPL GW11 Saturday Fixtures Review Based on Stats and Eye Test
FPL GW11 Sunday Fixtures Review Based On Stats And Eye Test

Link to all our FPL Gameweek 12 blogs. All of the blogs are completely free to access and covers everything right from game week preview to captaincy!

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