Harry Winks could have one last chance to save his Tottenham Hotspur career after teammate Oliver Skipp was ruled out for the rest of the season.
Earlier this month, Skipp was given a new five-year contract, which seemed to signal how highly manager Antonio Conte rates the 21-year-old.
Sadly, though, Spurs have recently confirmed that the midfielder has undergone surgery in America to repair a pubis injury. As a result, he will be out for the remainder of the season and likely won’t return until pre-season this summer.
However, this could actually end up being a huge boost for Winks, and TIF has decided to take a look at why…
Winks game time
Up to this point in the season, Winks hasn’t really been afforded too many opportunities to shine. Indeed, he has played just 16 times in the Premier League all season, only starting nine of those games.
With that in mind, journalist Alasdair Gold recently claimed the player will look to head off in the summer in order to get more regular minutes elsewhere.
He said (via Football FanCast): “Harry Winks – he’ll want regular football. I’d be stunned if Harry Winks was at Tottenham next season because I think he needs to play regular football.
“So I’d be intrigued to see what kind of interest there is in him in the summer and how that works, but I do think Harry Winks will move on.”
However, due to this injury to Skipp, Winks may well pick up some extra minutes in the final few weeks of the season. For instance, he was handed 18 minutes off the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion recently.
If he can impress in that time, he may work his way into Conte’s plans more regularly, feel more satisfied with his role, and thus keep his Spurs’ career alive.
Would you want Harry Winks to leave Spurs this summer?
Yes
No
Competition for places
Of course, to do this, Winks must rival the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur for a regular spot in the team.
Still, Spurs’ recent form has wobbled of late, with the club failing to register a shot on target in successive matches – so Conte may want to change things up. Indeed, the club have drawn and lost their last two league games, with those two aforementioned midfielders starting both times.
With a place in the top four and Champions League football next season at stake, Tottenham will be desperate to do whatever it takes to get across the line.
And while Winks looks likely to leave in the summer, this recent injury to Skipp has afforded his future in north London just the slightest glimmer of hope – if he can take his chance.
In other news: Conte unleashes new plan, 24 y/o could be in trouble: Big Spurs rumour emerges – opinion