Sonny's 2013-2014 Season: A New Beginning at Bayer Leverkusen
Complete analysis of Son Heung-min's 2013-2014 Bayer Leverkusen debut season! Detailed review of his 43 games, 12 goals, 7 assists and 5 key matches including spectacular goal vs Borussia Dortmund.
2013-2014 Season Overview
In the 2013-2014 season, Son Heung-min appeared in 43 matches for Bayer Leverkusen, recording 12 goals and 7 assists. In the league, he scored 10 goals, becoming the second Korean player after Cha Bum-kun (1985-86 season) to achieve double-digit goals for Leverkusen, and maintained his double-digit scoring streak for the second consecutive season following his Hamburg period.
Son transferred from Hamburg to Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the club's record transfer fee of 10 million euros (approximately 16.1 billion won) in 2013. This was an exceptionally high transfer fee for a Korean player at the time, demonstrating Son's recognized value on the European stage.
At Leverkusen, Son was assigned jersey number 7, with the club announcing through their official Twitter: "New signing Son Heung-min will wear number 7." The number 7 jersey was traditionally worn by key Leverkusen players, reflecting the club's high expectations for their new signing.
Top 5 Key Matches
1. vs SV Lippstadt (August 2013) - Leverkusen Debut Goal
Son scored his first official goal and recorded his first assist for Leverkusen against 6th division side SV Lippstadt in the DFB-Pokal first round. Coming on as a substitute in the second half for his official debut, he managed to score and provide an assist, totaling 1 goal and 1 assist. Although it was against a lower-division team, this meaningful debut showcased Son's ability to quickly adapt to his new environment.
2. vs SC Freiburg (August 2013) - Bundesliga Debut
On August 10th, Son started in the Bundesliga opener against SC Freiburg. Playing at Leverkusen's home ground, this match marked Son's first league appearance as a Leverkusen player. His proactive play in his first league match for his new team left a strong impression on fans and teammates alike.
3. vs Bayern Munich (October 2013) - Presence in the Big Match
Against Germany's powerhouse Bayern Munich, Son troubled the opposition defense with his exceptional individual skills and pace. Although he didn't score, he created several decisive chances, showing that he wouldn't be intimidated in big matches. His performance in this game proved that Son could compete at Germany's highest level.
4. vs Borussia Dortmund (February 2014) - Season's Best Goal
In the home match against Dortmund, Son produced his best goal of the season. Starting from the left flank, he dribbled past three defenders consecutively before finishing precisely inside the penalty area. This goal was selected as "Goal of the Month" by German football magazines, showcasing Son's individual skills to the entire European continent.
5. vs VfL Wolfsburg (April 2014) - Disappointing Missed Opportunity
In the crucial away match against Wolfsburg where important points were needed late in the season, Son faced a disappointing moment. In a tightly contested 0-0 situation, he had a perfect one-on-one opportunity but was denied by the goalkeeper's save. The team eventually lost 1-0, and Son expressed his regret, saying "I should have been more composed." However, these experiences became the foundation that made him a stronger player later on.
Season Highlights and Growth Points
The most impressive aspect of Son's 2013-2014 season was his rapid adaptation to a new environment. Despite being his first season after transferring from Hamburg to Leverkusen, he achieved excellent records of 12 goals and 7 assists. The significant increase in assists from 2 in the previous season to 7 demonstrated his improved playmaking abilities.
Leverkusen was engaged in fierce competition for Champions League qualification at the time, and Son's performances greatly contributed to the team's push for higher standings. His pace and dribbling ability became threatening weapons even against the solid defensive lines of the German Bundesliga.
Tactical Growth and Positional Changes
At Leverkusen, Son gained opportunities to play in various positions. While he primarily played as a right winger, he occasionally featured as a left winger or second striker, enhancing his tactical understanding. These experiences later became the foundation for his multi-positional play at Tottenham.
Leverkusen's attacking football, based on quick passing and movement, maximized Son's strengths. His pace and ability to change direction instantly added a new dimension to the team's attacking play.
Season Conclusion and Significance
In his first season at Leverkusen (2013-2014), Son recorded impressive statistics of 43 appearances, 12 goals, and 7 assists. This signified his successful adaptation to a new league and new team.
Based on this season's successful performances, Son established himself as an increasingly important player at Leverkusen, eventually setting the stage for his 2015 transfer to Premier League side Tottenham. This was a crucial season where Son transformed the potential he showed at Hamburg into reality at Leverkusen.
The season served as an important stepping stone in Son's journey from a promising talent to an established European player, laying the groundwork for his future successes in the Premier League and beyond.