OPINION
It seems that we have become so used to wonderful performances from Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks that we forget that he’s only 22 years of age.
The youngster was in phenomenal form again in the 1-0 victory over West Ham United on Saturday, bossing the midfield and setting the tempo in an efficient Spurs display.
On a day where precious few players shined for Mauricio Pochettino’s side it was Winks who ensured the visitors got a foothold on proceedings at the London Stadium.
The England international was the man who dictated the tempo of the game, as his passing set the tone for everything positive Pochettino’s team did. When he had to scrap and do the dirty work in the second half, he did that to an incredibly high level too.
His performance had some spectators scratching their head wondering why the English FA seem so bothered about recruiting Hammers midfielder Declan Rice. No disrespect to Rice, but it was clear who the superior midfield prospect was on Saturday.
It’s tremendous to see how well Winks has come back from the serious injury that saw him miss a large chunk of last season.
The Spurs man, on a reported £25,000-per-week at the club [Source: Spotrac], looks back to his best and must be given a key role by his manager this campaign.
Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli are both currently out injured, but Winks shouldn’t be sacrificed for either man once they return to full fitness.
The 22-year-old has a bit of everything that makes Tottenham’s other midfielders great. He has the tenacity of Victor Wanyama, the defensive awareness of Eric Dier, the engine of Moussa Sissoko and the creativity of Eriksen and Alli.
He is a tremendous all round player who is only going to get better. Having missed so much football last term he needs regular minutes this time round if he is to take his game to the next level.
Winks’s performance has shown Pochettino that he is ready for a key role in the Spurs midfield this season. He should be the very first midfielder on the Argentine’s team sheet, otherwise the manager risks wasting his unbelievable potential.