After another solid performance for Tottenham in the Champions League, has Harry Winks almost secured his spot at Russia 2018 with England?
21-year-old midfielder Harry Winks is yet to make his 50th appearance for Spurs in all competitions, but could well have secured his place on the plane to Russia in the summer.
Providing everyone is fit, Gareth Southgate will be choosing between the likes of Jordan Henderson, Jack Cork, Jake Livermore, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lewis Cook, as well as fellow Spurs midfielder Eric Dier.
A solid performance in midweek’s 2-1 Champions League triumph away in Dortmund showed just how integral Winks is to Mauricio Pochettino’s system at Spurs and begs the question as to whether he is England’s best central midfielder heading into the run-up to the World Cup next summer.
Jordan Henderson completed just 55% of his passes and failed to complete a tackle in Liverpool’s game against Sevilla on Tuesday night, leading to further questions surrounding his place in the England team, while Eric Dier had a mixed performance as captain against Brazil.
With Jack Cork, Lewis Cook and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all in the squad this month after a spate of injuries, there’s no guarantee they’ll retain their spots in the summer, leaving Winks – impressing on the biggest stage – looking more and more like a guaranteed selection.
Obviously his spot in the squad isn’t final and injuries could play their part, but it’s hard to see Winks not making the journey to Russia this summer. Arguably, no English central midfielder is shining more in the Champions League.
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