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Tottenham Must Loan Josh Onomah and Harry Winks

By Alexander Balano

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; MLS All Stars forward Kei Kamara (23) of Columbus Crew FC plays the ball ahead of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks (44) during the second half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; MLS All Stars forward Kei Kamara (23) of Columbus Crew FC plays the ball ahead of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks (44) during the second half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick /
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Tottenham Hotspur’s youth players haven’t played much.

It is unlikely that Josh Onomah and Harry Winks will play with Tottenham’s first team anytime soon. With the January transfer window looming they should be loaned out for some playing time rather than sitting on the bench.

Even if Tottenham can wrap up first place in their group in the Europa League against R.S.C. Anderlecht during a home-and-away fixture in their next two games. That will only leave two more games in the group stage for Onomah and Winks to play against European competition before the Round of 32 begins.

With the FA Cup not underway just yet and Mauricio Pochettino playing a “weakened” starting eleven against Arsenal in the Capital One Cup, which cost them a chance to win a major trophy. This is another scenario where Pochettino won’t play youth players when his strongest starting eleven (when healthy) have been playing so well this season. Tottenham also can’t risk another one-and-done scenario where they’re knocked out so early in a domestic competition.

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Keeping Josh Onomah and Harry Winks on the squad strictly for the Europa League and FA Cup only is fine but not a good enough reason in the grand scheme of things. Once Tottenham advances further in both competitions, Mauricio Pochettino will start playing a stronger lineup, leaving Onomah and Winks to sit on the bench or off of the 18-man matchday squad entirely.

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As is, there’s too many talented players ahead of both Onomah and Winks at attacking midfield and central midfield respectively. The Likes of Alex Pritchard, Christian Eriksen and Heung-Min Son at attacking midfield. Then there’s Tom Carroll, Mousa Dembélé, Ryan Mason and Dele Alli at central midfield.

While both positions currently have some players dealing with injuries, Saturday’s game against Liverpool at White Hart Lane is too big to play two youth players over Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli. After suffering two losses to Liverpool last season, Mauricio Pochettino will want to get his first win over the Reds and the team’s first Premier League win over Liverpool since November 28, 2012. Getting a much needed win and three points will snap Tottenham’s winless streak in October, which saw the team earn two draws, and help them climb up the league table.

It’s possible that Josh Onomah and Harry Winks can still feature with Tottenham’s second team in the Under-21 Premier League, but even then they haven’t gotten much playing time either. Onomah and Winks have only played one game, back on August 23. Both players are seemingly stuck in limbo: they’re on the first team but not getting many opportunities in any competition this 2015-16 season.

Come this January, it’s in Tottenham’s best interest to seek out loans for both players. Both are highly talented with Harry Winks commanding a lot of interest during the summer. If Pochettino decides to keep them on the roster, Josh Onomah and Harry Winks will be left off of the 18-man matchday squad for a majority of the season with a couple of games played in the Europa League and FA Cup and maybe some in the Premier League. Next year may be different though.

Next: Spurs' Pochettino Wins Manager of the Month Award

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