Mousa Dembele left Tottenham Hotspur during the January transfer window.
In comments reported by the Independent, Harry Winks has lauded Mousa Dembele’s influence on him during the midfielder’s time at Tottenham, and insisted that the Belgian is one of the best players he has played with.
Dembele brought the curtain down on his Spurs career during the January transfer window, as he completed a permanent move to Guangzhou R&F after much speculation about his future.
It did not come as a big surprise that Dembele did leave Tottenham, but it would have still disappointed some supporters who would have known how difficult it is going to be for Mauricio Pochettino to replace the 31-year-old in the long-term.
Winks is one player who has stepped up since the game that proved to be Dembele’s last Spurs appearance, but he suggested that he does not look at the situation as an opportunity to become his old teammate’s successor, especially given the void that he has left in the team.
“I learned a lot from Mousa, not only was he fantastic on the field as everyone knows but he was top off the field as well, he was a real humble guy and a nice person to speak to,” he said, as reported by the Independent. “On the pitch he was one of the best players I have ever played with and I wish him all the best.
“I don’t feel the pressure, we have got a lot of good players who can step up to the plate and I don’t consider myself as someone who has taken Mousa’s place, it is more a collective thing and if I am given the opportunity to play then I’ll play.”
Dembele was perhaps not the same player during the opening months of the season that he had been in previous years. But he undoubtedly has to be considered to be a big loss for Pochettino’s side now that he has moved on.
Winks may not see himself as Dembele’s replacement. But the youngster is unquestionably doing a fine job of softening the blow of Spurs losing one of their best players since the Pochettino era began.
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