‘As quickly as possible’: Sky pundit urges Spurs man to follow £15m ace amid exit talks

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Glen Johnson has urged Harry Winks on Soccer Saturday (12/12/20 at 1:45 pm) to follow in the footsteps of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg amid talks he could leave Tottenham.

The Athletic claim that Tottenham’s technician in the middle of the park, who has only made four Premier League appearances this term, has admirers from abroad in La Liga.

Winks simply doesn’t suit Jose Mourinho’s more aggressive, sit back and combative style of play, whereas the guy who has seemingly replaced him in midfield – Hojbjerg – does and he is thriving.

Former England defender Johnson thinks the best solution for Winks, at this moment in time, is to take inspiration from Tottenham’s £15 million summer signing [Independent] and buy into Mourinho’s ways ‘as quickly as possible’.

“The short-term solution is to buy into Mourinho’s philosophy as quickly as possible,” said Johnson. “Probably not, at the moments [gets into Tottenham’s side even if he buys into Mourinho’s ways].

“Hojbjerg, for example, when Mourinho signed him. I don’t think the fans were up all night for excitement. But the player that they have got now, he has brought into everything Mourinho wants him to do.

“He’s the player they have missed. And he’s the main reason why all these other players can start doing what they are doing. And he’s hit the ground running.”

Amazingly enough, Winks has earned more game time for England than he has done for Spurs in the Premier League since the start of the campaign.

A move to Spain would suit Winks’ style down to the bone – more so than what he is currently experiencing in North London with Mourinho.

Winks likes to pick up the ball in tight spaces in his own defensive third, work the ball further up the pitch with his short, sharp passing and his ability to work his way out of difficult situations with either a deft touch or a brilliant piece of close control.

All of which suits Spanish football. And if Winks wants to be on that delayed Euro 2020 plane then, at this moment in time, the best option is to leave his boyhood club.