Ange Postecoglou labels Heung-min Son a true 'leader' in defence of Spurs captain after South Korea incident

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has hailed club captain Heung-min Son as a true “leader”.

Postecoglou made the South Korea star Tottenham’s full-time skipper upon taking over as manager in the summer, assisted by deputies Cristian Romero and James Maddison.

Son has led by example this term, scoring 12 league goals and registering six assists for Tottenham, who are currently fourth and host Wolves on Saturday.

However, Son hit the headlines when it emerged he had dislocated his finger in an altercation with South Korea teammate Lee Kang-in ahead of their shock Asia Cup defeat to Jordan.

Postecoglou said: “I don't know all the details [of the altercation] and kind of don't want to know, because it is an internal matter [for South Korea]. But what I know of the story is Sonny showing leadership.

“That's what leadership is all about. Leadership is not about being popular and trying to make everybody happy, it's about when you see something that you don't feel is right, then you stand up for it because it's the best thing for the group. I see that in Sonny.

“Sometimes people are mistaken about Sonny because he's such a positive guy who whenever you see him is smiling and everyone has a real affection for him — but he wants to win.”

The Spurs boss added: “[Son] doesn't like standards slipping and I've seen him do that around here. If something is not right, he will say it. Sometimes it is not the popular thing to do.

“Sometimes that puts you in the firing line with the playing group, and with coaches or the club. But, as a leader, if you think this is the right thing to do then you should go strongly on it.

“Sonny, by nature, is a nice guy. He is very polite and very respectful but that doesn't mean he can't be a real winner and a guy who has high standards.

“There is a real discipline you need to last this long, especially in the Premier League, and that drive to have high standards transfers to leadership.

“The best [leaders] are the ones who are themselves because people respect that. When you try and be somebody else, people see through that.”