Frank Lampard was left raving about the performance of Tottenham youngster Harry Winks after the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
With both Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama out of the game, Mauricio Pochettino put his faith in the 21-year-old who stepped up to play the full 90 minutes in one of the biggest games of his career.
And he didn’t seem overawed by the occasion or look out of his depth, and Lampard was hugely impressed with what he saw.
“His passing was fantastic, he wanted the ball all over the place” he said after the game on BT Sport.
“And his defensive positioning, which can be overlooked by people… he takes up great positions.
“It’s very impressive and exciting as English men to sit and watch someone play like this.”
Winks was on the bench for Tottenham’s first Champions League game of the campaign against Borussia Dortmund, but he played the full 90 minutes against Apoel Nicosia too, and is starting to make his break as a regular in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans this season.
He’s made six appearances from eight games in the Premier League, playing the full 90 minutes in the last two games.
Winks will now be hoping he’s done enough to retain his starting place for the visit of Liverpool to Wembley on Saturday.
OPINION
That Harry Winks can step up and look at ease at the Bernabeu is testament to just how good a player he is. Lots of players would have been overawed by the occasion – certainly many players before him have struggled to cope with the intensity of playing against Real Madrid at their home ground. Winks isn’t just a player for the future, he’s ready for this season and we predict that he’ll become a first-team regular before too long. He will also be hoping for a place in the World Cup squad in Russia next summer.