Tottenham: Tom Carroll and Harry Winks Sign Extensions
Earlier today Tottenham secured two more players to contract extensions.
After Tottenham sold Ryan Mason to Hull City a day before transfer deadline, this gave Mauricio Pochettino one less central midfielder on his squad.
Up to this point, Tom Carroll was entering the season on a one-year deal and his future in doubt. Harry Winks who has been getting glowing praise since his academy days hardly featured for the first team.
Questions were asked as to why Pochettino sold Mason when Mousa Dembélé had yet to return from his six-match suspension.
It didn’t help that the pairing of Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama didn’t look good to begin the year. Though, seeing Tottenham only concede two goals thus far, perhaps it’s not as bad as initially thought.
So, fast forward to this weekend, and what once were question marks (if there were any) surrounding the futures of Carroll and Winks have been answered.
Both players have signed contract extensions. Whether they get playing time afterwards depends on Pochettino’s willingness to give Mousa Dembélé some rest while not playing Wanyama in his place.
Harry Winks would sign his long-term deal first, before Tom Carroll followed suit.
Winks’ deal is much longer as it will run for five years, keeping the 20-year-old with Spurs until 2021. Carroll however, is signed only for three years (until 2019).
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At the age of 24, Carroll is obviously older than Winks and has more appearances (54) with three goals to his name.
The thinking might be, that with a shorter extension, the pressure is on for Tom Carroll to perform well as the immediate backup to Mousa Dembélé this season.
And so far, he’s ready to accept such a challenge after making 30 appearances last season in all competitions (12 starts and three goals).
“It went really well for me, especially around Christmas and New Year,” Carroll said.
“I’m happy to be rewarded with this new deal and I’ve got to do it all over again now and impress the manager.”
“We’ve a top squad here full of international players, so it’s hard but you have to keep your head down, keep working hard every day and see where it takes you.”
“I know if I get a chance I have to take it.”
Harry Winks is also ready to work hard and make the most of his opportunities, something that has barely happened in his senior career with Spurs.
“I’m young and hungry but I haven’t done anything yet in football,” Winks said.
“I’ve still got a lot to do and a lot to prove. I will continue to work hard throughout my career but at this moment in time, I can’t get carried away with anything.”
“I’m here to work, here to help the team and this contract reflects that.”
“Hopefully I can push on and get more game time this season and, fingers crossed, it will only go up for me from here.”
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Tom Carroll and Harry Winks have made one appearance this season already, against Crystal Palace and Liverpool respectively, and now that they have signed contract extensions they’ll most likely earn more playing time as the season wears on.
If not against Sunderland, when Spurs host the Black Cats at White Hart Lane, then perhaps against Gillingham in the League Cup on Wednesday, September 21st.