Son Heung-min admits the pressure of trying to replace Harry Kane's goals for Tottenham - and what he REALLY thought of James Maddison before he joined the club

Son Heung-min has admitted that he feels 'pressure' to replace Harry Kane's goals for Tottenham - but explained how that burden is helping him improve. 

He has also revealed that he 'loved' James Maddison's style before he joined Spurs from Leicester for £40million in the summer.   

Son, who has scored 15 goals so far this season, was speaking ahead of Tottenham's showdown with Newcastle in the Premier League. 

Ange Postecoglou's side have bounced into the top four thanks to Aston Villa's recent dip. 

'I think everybody wants to step up, especially when Harry left the club obviously,' Son said. 

'When he’s happy here, 30 goals is guaranteed, but who is going to make it the 30 goals for for this club? 

'I do love the pressure, because when you play in in a Premier League, you have to get this pressure to improve yourself.'

Kane left for Bayern Munich for £100m last summer in the pursuit of trophies. 

That came on the back of 280 goals in the white of Spurs but they have managed to cope reasonably well with his departure. 

They already have as many points as last season with seven games to spare - prior to their match with Newcastle today.  

On Maddison, he said: 'Before he joined Spurs I actually loved him because I liked this type of player who’s making a game with his quality.

'I think creating chances, scoring goals, make those runs - I want to make him an even better player but he has a bright bright future.'

While Maddison hasn't quite recaptured the form he showed before suffering an ankle injury earlier this season, he is still a pivotal and thrilling part of Spurs' team, bringing a free spirit and creativity.