Harry Winks makes first start since April, can prove Pochettino’s £20m target would be a luxury

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Harry Winks started for Tottenham against Barnsley in midweek.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks (L) vies with West Ham United defender Arthur Masuaku

Tottenham Hotspur saw Harry Winks make his first start since April on Tuesday night, as the midfield completed 90 minutes in the 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley.

Dele Alli’s second-half winner gave Spurs an unconvincing victory over the Championship side, and whilst there weren’t many positives for Tottenham outside of their passage into the last 16, the full return of Winks was a major boost.

Winks, 20, emerged as the next top prospect to emerge from the Tottenham academy last season, hitting the headlines for his debut goal against West Ham United back in November, and he continued to impress under Pochettino.

Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his goal against Roma

The midfielder’s composure on the ball and vision when passing quickly made him a favourite among Spurs fans, and many were disappointed to see him suffer a major ankle injury against Burnley in April.

Whilst Winks featured in pre-season, Spurs boss Pochettino refrained from putting him straight into the starting line-up, instead handing him his first competitive start since April in Tuesday’s clash with Barnsley.

A game in which Spurs were expected to dominate the ball was an ideal time to bring Winks into the side, and with Victor Wanyama out of action, it’s imperative that Winks now looks to kick on again and prove that he is suitable for regular Premier League playing time.

Tottenham’s Harry Winks in action against Southampton

Recent reports from The Sun suggest that Tottenham are plotting a January move for Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, but Winks now has until the new year to prove that the Portugal international would be an expensive luxury signing.

Gomes’ style of play is largely based on his playmaking and passing ability, much like Winks, and Tottenham may now face a decision on whether to stick with the youth policy that Pochettino has embraced so well since his arrival in 2014, or move towards bringing in big signings like new boys Davinson Sanchez and Serge Aurier.

Most fans would love Winks, as a homegrown player, to make the step up, and having built up his fitness against Barnsley before coming on as a substitute against West Ham on Saturday, the platform is now there for the youngster to prove that he is the future of the Spurs midfield, not Gomes.