The Tottenham midfielder impressed versus Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks in action with Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva
Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night brought with it more than a few silver linings.
With an emphasis on youth, Mauricio Pochettino gave Spurs’ fringe players their chance to impress and stake a claim for a place in the Argentine’s long-term plans.
With both Josh Onomah and Harry Winks already acquiring Premier League minutes under their belts this campaign, the Merseyside clash was the shop window for the rest of The Lily Whites’ bright young things to exhibit their wares.
Despite the loss, the opportunity – it seems – was one Winks grabbed with both hands.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks comes on as a substitute to replace Dele Alli
A product of the Spurs youth set-up, the 20 year-old made his top-flight debut – coincidentally versus The Reds – as a substitute for Christian Eriksen back in August.
Having now trained with the first team for going on two years, Winks has already garnered the trust of boss Pochettino. But what of his chances at becoming a regular fixture for Spurs?
The Hertfordshire man has been bled into the North Londoners’ picture via the Europa League. After Harry Kane used the same stage as his proving ground before stepping up to domestic level, the omens are good.
Harry Winks’ contribution on Tuesday night, had his manager warming his hands in exultation frequently and the numbers do not lie.
The midfielder had the highest pass accuracy for any Spurs player who completed the full 90 minutes. With a ratio of 91.2%, Winks finished top of the pile across both sides.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks in action with Liverpool’s Oviemuno Ejaria
For the visitors, he also finished tied with full-back Kieran Trippier for most key passes, with two apiece.
What was quite telling in the thoughts of Mauricio Pochettino was the withdrawal of Eric Dier mid-way through the second period.
Of course, Spurs’ tactician-in-chief could merely have been resting his charge for the efforts of the weekend, but as Victor Wanyama came on, both he and Winks proved a suitable foil for one another
As Tottenham sought an equalizer right up to the final whistle, Winks still had enough in the tank to surge up field and shoot at Simon Mignolet’s goal from distance.
Perhaps we saw something similar in Ryan Mason, who has now departed for pastures new with Hull City. Winks however extols a greater composure and without wanting to utilize a footballing cliché, seems to have a ‘footballing brain’.
Bournemouth’s Harry Arter after clashing with Tottenham’s Moussa Sissoko
With the suspension of Moussa Sissoko imminent, fate may be dealing Harry Winks a favourable hand. With Dier struggling for form, only Mousa Dembele remains next to Wanyama in a central midfield berth.
With the Belgian’s checkered injury status of late, Winks could at the very least continue to force his way onto the Tottenham bench regularly, and with the games coming thick and fast, could yet see more opportunities.
Harry Kane’s emergence was as a result of winning over his manager’s favour. With Winks already in Mauricio Pochettino’s good graces, Spurs fans will be hoping the burgeoning 20 year-old is the club’s next big thing.
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