Harry Winks Loved Every Minute of His First Tottenham Start

Harry Winks finally earned his first-ever start for Tottenham in their third round fixture of the League Cup against Gillingham.

A five-year-old Harry Winks has waited for an opportunity to make his first-ever start for Tottenham. Three substitution appearances in the Europa League for a combined 20 minutes the past two seasons was barely enough to whet the central midfielder’s appetite.

So with Spurs in the Champions League and competing for another Premier League title this season, Mauricio Pochettino needed to rotate his squad during cup competitions to keep his starters well rested.

Winks’ dream, which had been 15 years in the making, soon became a reality as the now-20-year-old not only earned his first start for Spurs, but he went the distance and played a full 90 minutes.

Harry Winks has made four total appearances — all at White Hart Lane — since being given a chance by Pochettino and last night Winks enjoyed it from start to finish.

“I loved every minute of it, it’s something I’ve been waiting for since I was five,” an elated Harry Winks said (via Spurs’ official site).

“I played in Sunday league and I went to a soccer camp in the summer, got picked up to go to the Academy development centre, got into the Academy and I’ve been at the Club ever since.”

“To go out there today was a dream come true, it really was. To start the game and win as well, that capped it off. I’m over the moon about it.”

There are many current youth academy players and graduates in Mauricio Pochettino’s setup that are all on the cusp of being a full-time starter. Winks is one of them and he had to wait 15 years to earn a start.

But for fans alike they too have waited a long time.

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Last season could have been the year that a then-19-year-old Harry Winks got some playing time after Spurs didn’t loan him out during the summer transfer window.

When coupled with Josh Onomah and Tom Carroll getting extensive time out on the pitch it was weird to see Winks missing out on the action.

Seeing him partner up with Carroll at central midfield and control the game like he did against Gillingham last night, it was obvious that the talent was always there.

It was on display even during Tottenham’s pre-season tour last year in the United States and Germany.

All he needed was meaningful games under his belt and not paltry minutes to close a match out which had been the case previously.

With Spurs advancing into the fourth round and traveling to Anfield to face Liverpool, perhaps Winks’ performance against Gillingham was just what he needed to continue climbing his way up the depth chart.

Mousa Dembélé will always be Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice central midfielder when fit, but finding a proper backup has been difficult. While Victor Wanyama has earned some starts alongside Eric Dier, maybe it’s best to give Harry Winks a run out when Dembélé needs to rest.

At the very least it gives both Winks and Tom Carroll a chance to compete for a spot on the bench during games this season. Competition is needed at every position.

Next: Vincent Janssen Wanted to Score Tottenham's Penalty

Last night was a stepping stone that the young midfielder hopes will see him get more opportunities down the road. “I’d like to think so,” Harry Winks said. “All I can do is continue to work hard in training, focus on my game and fingers crossed I’ll keep going forward.”

Twenty-years-old and already a star in the making. Winks could be the heir apparent for Mousa Dembélé if Tom Carroll isn’t. And more so with Ryan Mason sold to Hull City this summer.