Why Darren Anderton loves every time Harry Kane and Son Heung-min add another combined goal to their Spurs tally

EVERY time Harry Kane and Son Heung-min serve up for another goal, Darren Anderton earns a little more respect in his new home of California.

Because when Tottenham’s dynamic pair join forces in the Premier League, the list of the division’s deadliest duos is often mentioned on TV in the US.

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Son and Kane lead on 43 combined goals and reached 50 in all competitions with Spurs’ opener in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

However, in fifth place are Anderton and Teddy Sheringham, who served each other with 27 strikes in the ’90s.

It serves as a timely reminder of just how good a player the former England wideman, now 50, was in his new sunny surroundings for the uninitiated.

Anderton told SunSport: “When those stats come up about Harry and Son progressing through the top five Premier League combinations for goals, it’s always lovely to see.

“People here see it and say, ‘Oh my God, that’s incredible’.”

Best friends Anderton and Sheringham loved their time under Ossie Ardiles’ hell-for-leather tactics during the Argentine’s stint at White Hart Lane.

They were two parts of Ardiles’ ‘famous five’, which also included Jurgen Klinsmann, Nick Barmby and Ilie Dumitrescu, who produced some delightfully chaotic games that offered plenty of entertainment but failed to deliver results.

Kane and Son played under the attacking Mauricio Pochettino for four years.

But their last three bosses, Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and current boss Antonio Conte, all favor a more conservative approach.

And for that reason, Anderton is particularly impressed that Kane and Son have managed to reach half a century.

He added: “The biggest compliment I can give Harry and Son is that the managers they’ve had in recent years have been quite defensive.

“Mourinho, even Conte to a point, he wants the team to be set up in a way that is difficult to beat and hits players on counterattack.

“The fact that they still do it is amazing.”

When asked if the pair would have even higher numbers if they played in an Ardiles-type system, Anderton replied, “They could very well be.

“I watched a few games this year and I was like, ‘Cor, this is a bit boring, isn’t it? Almighty God, come on, let’s attack them, let’s do this.

“But even if that happens, you know in the back of your mind that something could and probably will happen. There will be an opportunity, Harry or Son will score or have a chance. That’s just the quality they have.

“I think it would be scary if they played in the old famous five with that football that Ossie let us play. It would be very nice to be there!”

Son and Kane’s understanding seems almost telepathic at times.

Spurs’ opening goal against Frankfurt was a prime example, with Kane repelling Son with an instinctive, defence-splitting pass that the South Korean hid neatly.

Anderton and Sheringham had a similar relationship in which verbal communication was rarely required.

While their great friendship off the pitch meant there was no jealousy between them, Son has opened up about his own partnership with Kane.

Anderton explained: “Ted is still my best pal in football. That definitely helps, no question.

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“You want your partner to be okay. When Teddy went to (Manchester) United you really wanted him to do well. There would be no jealousy.

“Teddy was very easy to play and I knew what a clever footballer he was. His movement was so good. I knew that when he came up short, he wanted it long. If he tended to chase after, he would come up short.

“The relationship will be natural. It just happens. You don’t even have to think about it.

“Most of the time our communication was literally eye contact.”

Anderton has been watching from across the pond with admiration for Spurs’ modern duo, which he holds dear.

And he fully expects the popular fantasy football social media update of ‘Goal: Kane; Assist: Son’ – or vice versa – to keep going for a long time.

Anderton added: “Hary is such a team player, that’s why I think it works so well. Of course, Son is also fantastic. He’s so forward-thinking, he’s so explosive, and Harry knows he’ll make it.

“Harry is the best #9/No. 10 in the world. He keeps scoring goals, keeps creating chances, tough as nails. He is an absolute legend of the game.

“If you think about the talk Harry was leaving, going to Real Madrid or Barcelona, ​​I’m surprised that those kinds of clubs haven’t shown or maybe haven’t shown any interest in Sonny because I think he would romp in one of these teams.

“(Their tally) will definitely go a lot higher and it won’t be long before they reach 50 in the Premier League combined.

“I’m looking forward to it and to many happy days around the corner.”