Tottenham star Heung-min Son “could play for Chelsea”, claims Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has claimed that Tottenham captain Heung-min Son could play for “the best teams”, a list he included Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

The South Korean striker spent nine years at Spurs since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015, scoring 162 goals and 83 assists in all competitions. He was one of the club's most important players under a number of managers, including Mourinho himself.

Son previously formed a devastating attacking partnership with Harry Kane, whose big-money departure to Bayern Munich last summer led to his fellow striker being named Tottenham's new captain under new head coach Ange Postecoglou.

It's a role Son has relished, with the 31-year-old a key leader in a new era in north London with the 17 goals and nine assists he has scored this season.

Son is only contracted to Tottenham until 2025 after signing a new four-year deal in 2021, but recently reiterated his commitment to the club amid a transitional season that saw them make a blistering start to the Postecoglou era as potential title contenders and the subsequent dip in form has resulted in them struggling to qualify for the Champions League.

Now Mourinho may have angered fans of the club he managed between 2019-21 by claiming the Spurs captain could play for any of the best teams in the world – including another of his former clubs, Chelsea this list, despite recent problems.

“I consider Son one of the best players in the world,” the self-proclaimed “Special One” recently told EA Sports FC.

“Maybe Tottenham fans won’t be happy with what I’m about to say, it’s not disrespectful. He could win titles, he could play for the best teams.

“He could play in England for Man City, for Liverpool, for Chelsea. It could be abroad and playing for one of the top teams.

“He has the modern mobility of attacking players. He can play through the middle, from the sides, across the width and inside.”