Bromance is still alive and kicking, or so at least on the football pitch. For a considerable period of time, there one indisputably unbreakable double act in town was that comprising Tottenham’s Harry Kane and his sidekick Son Heung-Min where both the forwards were like peas in a pod on the pitch.
The duo were the only pairing in Premier League history that combined for an unmatched number of goals.
England captain Kane was the only one who could make Son flash his infectious boyish grin almost at will. After the former Spurs talisman’s departure to Bayern Munich, many wondered if that grin would ever be seen again.
Well, fortunatedly for Spurs fans another inspiring figure has since stepped in to replace the former Spurs frontman in bringing on that heartwarming broad grin again as James Maddison and Son have already racked up eight goals and five assists between them since his move from Leicester this summer. Maddison set up both of Son’s goals in the 2-2 draw at Arsenal.
Their solidarity and compatibility on the pitch are even reflected in the way they’ve joined in each other’s celebrations – Maddison’s dart throw and Son’s camera – as well. It’s great to know Maddison’s managed to get Son grinning again.
“It doesn’t take much to put a smile on Sonny’s face, to be fair!” said Maddison. “He’s just naturally a nice guy, you know?
“He’s someone you just want to give a big hug to every time you see him in the morning! Luckily, I get to do that. I know a lot of Spurs fans would love to give him a hug in the morning!
“Even when I was at Leicester, I didn’t know him at all, but he’d come up to me after the game and we’d shake hands, and he’d give me a hug and be complimentary about me as a player. He doesn’t have to do that and I see him doing that with other people. He gives his time to people.
“He’s a warm person to be around and a fantastic captain because he leads by example. With him as your captain, you don’t want to let him down because he’s such a good guy and has such high standards.
“It’s infectious for the group. I can’t speak highly enough of Sonny. He’s a great captain and a great friend.’
Understandably the alchemy – especially on the pitch – between the two wasn’t instantaneous and took time to develop to become the great relationship it has become.
“There was a good few sessions in pre-season and on tour when I was thinking, “Maybe we’re on a little bit different wavelengths”,’ said Maddison. ‘Not just with Sonny, all the attackers. It takes time.
“The best relationships on the pitch, you have to build up. You have to get used to each other.
“Playing in my last club with Jamie Vardy as a striker, he would do different stuff to what Sonny does. It was just about learning that, the runs he likes to make.
“You have to be on the same wavelength as your striker for that to be successful. If you play a pass when he’s made a different run, it’s not going to work.
“It did take a little bit of time in training, and talking to each other and getting used to it, but I feel like we’re getting there and it’s still improving.”