Harry Winks Cried Following Tottenham’s Win over West Ham
Mauricio Pochettino spoke about how Harry Winks’ hard work in the youth academy and the Academy’s coaches all played a part in giving the young midfielder his opportunity with the first team.
Behind closed doors in Tottenham’s changing room, Harry Winks cried following his first-ever Premier League start and goal for Spurs in his young career.
The emotions eventually overwhelmed the young midfielder, though only his teammates and coaches could see. Those feelings after a back and forth match were genuine.
Here, was a lifelong Spurs supporter who had been given the opportunity to play for his boyhood club this season with eight appearances prior to Saturday’s match.
Those eight appearances through this season’s first four-and-a-half months shows just how much Mauricio Pochettino believes in the 20-year-old. To give Winks a start against West Ham United, a huge London derby, in just his ninth appearance (third start this season) says it all.
For the past two-and-a-half years, Harry Winks has been working hard for these opportunities and he came good after the final whistle.
“Brilliant, brilliant,” Pochettino said when Winks leveled the game one-all at White Hart Lane (via Spurs’ official website).
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“It was an emotional moment for him and for us because after two-and-a-half years working here, we believe in him and it’s fantastic. Today, he paid it all back.”
Harry Winks’ progression from the youth academy to the first team isn’t unheard of. It’s just like any other player for any other club. The main difference is Mauricio Pochettino.
More than anything, having a manager who strongly believes that young players should play if they have the quality goes a long way.
It’s why Tottenham is littered with young players, not just come from their own academy but from around the world too.
Hard work plays a huge role, as well as the Academy’s coaches for preparing Spurs’ homegrown kids to improve and take that next step. If everything goes well, then eventually Pochettino will take notice and soon more youth players will come into the first team over time.
“We also have to recognise all the people in the academy – many coaches, many people working for that dream of all players.” Pochettino explained.
“That’s why it is fantastic. The players coming through the academy show passion and that is our identity. It’s fantastic when you can see Harry Winks scored and needed to cry, needed to cry after in the changing room.”
“It’s a priceless moment and we need to create more and push more in the future. We need to congratulate the people in the academy because the work they are doing is fantastic from a long time ago.”
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Of course, getting promoted to the first team isn’t that easy. Mauricio Pochettino continues to stress that hard work will go a long way, though who gets called up is a matter of quality.
If they have it, that quality Pochettino is looking for, then chances are Spurs’ academy players will play. If not, then they won’t but the Argentine manager is willing to try.
“We need to be clever,” Pochettino added. “Maybe not all the players have the quality to play but if they have the quality, why not give them the opportunity to play?”
“It’s fantastic because at Tottenham it’s not just about bringing players from all countries or leagues, it’s important to give the opportunity to our youngsters too.”