Gary Neville has heaped praise on Tottenham ace Harry Winks, claiming that he was “outstanding” in his side’s Champions League final defeat to Liverpool.
The belated comments came off the back of England’s UEFA Nations League campaign, a tournament that Winks was not involved in.
But Neville is of the belief that manager Gareth Southgate must start building his side around the £50,000-a-week midfielder [Spotrac].
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Harry Winks is a must moving forward; he was outstanding in the Champions League final, and looked a different level.”
OPINION
These are big words from Neville, but it’s hard to disagree with him. Winks has been plagued by injuries this season, but when he has played he has been magnificent, and it’s fair to say that Spurs look a lot more accomplished with him in the side. There’s an air of continental class that oozes from the youngster, and that would surely bring a measure of composure to England’s midfield that has been lacking for far too long. With Winks dictating play and a battler like Declan Rice alongside him, that would allow a more forward-thinking talent, say Phil Foden or Dele Alli, to roam free in pockets of space just behind the front line. It’s a mouthwatering prospect, and you can’t help feeling that when Winks is fit and firing again, with a good run under his belt, he will make that position his own for the Three Lions.