Danny Murphy has claimed on talkSPORT that Tottenham youngster Harry Winks is the midfield game-changer England desperately need.
Speaking on Jim White show on Monday morning, the former Spurs and Liverpool midfielder hailed Winks as a special talent who is “one of the best I have seen” in the English game.
Murphy hailed the 22-year-old as the answer to England’s prayers in a discussion on talkSPORT about playmakers capable of running international matches against top-level opponents.
“The one who I think has the capability more than anyone else I’ve seen in Winks,” Murphy said. “He’s got a confidence and an ability to play, see the passes, get his foot in and be disciplined.
“He’s got to get fit and get in the Tottenham team first and foremost. He’s not going to be Gazza, but he’s one of the best I have seen in terms of his all-round ability.”
"Winks is one of the best I have seen in terms of his all-round ability."
??????? Gareth Southgate says England haven't had a game-changing player since @Paul_Gascoigne8.
?? Danny Murphy believes #THFC's @HarryWinks could be the man to change that!
[? @JimWhite] pic.twitter.com/SxTTpSrqhM
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 10, 2018
OPINION
This is a huge claim by Murphy, especially given that Winks has disappeared from the Tottenham team after his emergence in the autumn of last year. The 22-year-old looked so assured at Champions League and Premier League level that he was fast-tracked into the England side, where he also slotted in immediately. But there has been little evidence so far that Winks is the player the national team are crying out for. Murphy qualifies his extraordinary appraisal by saying the Spurs academy product must first get into the starting XI of his club. An ankle injury has robbed Winks of much in the way of first-team action in 2018 and he has had only six minutes of action – from three brief substitute appearances – so far this season. There could be an imminent opportunity for Winks. Victor Wanyama withdrew from the Kenya team with another knee injury, while Moussa Sissoko is sidelined and neither Mousa Dembele or Eric Dier are at the top of their game.