How Tottenham's Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have formed football's deadliest duo

In the modern game that’s obsessed with front threes, Kane and Son Heung-min – also featuring in an attacking triumvirate – are currently setting the standard for dynamic duos up front.

The South Korean has scored seven times in six Premier League appearances this season and Kane has played provider for six of those goals.

Together, the duo has combined for 28 goals in England’s top flight. Only the legendary pairings of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba [36], Thierry Henry and Robert Pires [29] and David Silva and Sergio Aguero [29] have combined more often.

Other partnerships have impressed of late. Kylian Mbappe and Neymar regularly combine at Paris Saint-Germain, while Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez have forged a fine understanding at Inter Milan.

But the finest attacking duo that Kane and Son have surpassed at this moment in time is that of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller.

Bayern Munich’s number nine was top scorer in the Bundesliga last season and fed off eight assists from the German international. This term, both have assisted each other twice in the opening four games.

At present, their impressive stats are dwarfed by Kane and Son but this special relationship in north London goes beyond the numbers.

In the latter stages of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure with Spurs, Kane’s reputation came before him and he was beginning to be crowded out by opposition defenders. He organically adopted a withdrawn role to get on the ball more but that left the team light in front of goal.

More recently though, he’s learned to use the extra attention from opposing defences to his advantage and unlock his potential as a playmaker as well. The key has undoubtedly been Son.

The South Korean’s searing pace and dynamic runs have complimented Kane’s adjusted role. And that has come from Son’s tendency to flourish more centrally everytime he filled in for the injured Kane.

Pushing him back out wide on the England skipper’s return became a waste of his abilities. To Jose Mourinho’s credit, his direct style of attacking during transitions with quick vertical passes and runners in behind incorporates the best attributes of both players.

Despite combining so often, they’re almost never level or within close proximity of each other. It’s almost as if the two are connected by an invisible thread, one that expands and contracts seamlessly.

Son sets off on a run when Kane drops off and is usually found with a pass from the striker. If play is held up, them Kane has the opportunity to arrive late and get a shot away or attack a cross. It’s a pattern that’s as palpable as it is difficult to cope with.

Their success, however, will also bring a stern test of their credentials as football’s deadliest duo. Teams are wise to their movements. So do they have the variations to wreak havoc anyway?