Harry Winks has shared that ‘it has been difficult’ for him at Tottenham in recent seasons, as he told talkSPORT.
The 25-year-old praised Antonio Conte for being ‘true to his word’ and rewarding the players for the effort they put in at Hotspur Way.
Winks was named in the starting XI for Tottenham’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool last time out, alongside another struggling teammate, Dele Alli.
It was a bold call by Conte, but one that paid off because either player could have walked away with the Man of the Match award.
Like a number of Spurs players, Winks’ form has fallen off a cliff in recent years and questions have been raised about his future in north London.
But the deep-lying midfielder shared that he just wants ‘regular’ minutes and it seems as though he might well get it now.
“I did yeah (view it as a clean slate when Conte arrived),” said Winks. “The manager came in and he said to everybody ‘if you deserve to play, you show me in training, then you will get the opportunity’.
“The manager has been true to his word. Everybody has been given a chance, depending on how you train and how you work, then the manager will reward that.
“Everybody wants to play, especially myself, it has been a difficult number of seasons, in terms of getting regular game time, so it’s something I am working hard on to try and stay in the team.”
Given that Winks is a local lad, he is a bit of a fan favourite with the supporters and it would have been difficult for them to see him struggle.
His form just went out of the window, alongside his game time, and the signs were hinting at him possibly leaving.
Now, that can still happen because he needs to now go on a regular run under Conte, else he will be out of the door in next to no time.
But like Alli, it seems as though Winks has been provided with one last chance to get his career back on track and possibly return to the England squad if things get even better.
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