Summer exit probable for out of favour Tottenham midfielder
By Gary Pearson
With every passing week of inaction at Tottenham, a prospective move to Spain becomes more probable for Harry Winks.
Akin to a few of his teammates — namely Dele Alli — Winks has endured his most frustrating spell since joining Tottenham in 2014. The Englishman has started just six Premier League games, appearing in nine, and is quickly losing influence within Spurs’ ranks.
Spaniard side Valencia is showing interest in Winks, whose career in north London took a downturn shortly after Jose Mourinho’s appointment. The gaffer might be blamed for Winks’ downward trajectory, but, in this case, it’s not entirely justified. While Winks’ struggles basically coincided with Mourinho’s appointment, there were signs of decay prior to the gaffer’s arrival.
Nonetheless, Winks is clearly on the outside looking in, and, like Dele, has an uphill battle if he is to regain preference. Thanks to Pierre Hojberg and Tanguy Ndombele‘s outstanding play, Winks has lost traction in the side and has subsequently plummeted down the pecking order.
To once again infiltrate the starting team, Winks might have to ply his trade elsewhere, especially when you consider the abundance of competition in his position at Spurs. Moussa Sissoko and Giovanni Lo Celso also take precedence over Winks, a sobering thought for the English midfielder, who came to prominence just two years ago under Mauricio’s leadership. Winks was the driving force, the main man on campus, in Pochettino’s team. His spot in the first team was all but guaranteed.
Unfortunately things have changed drastically in the last year, with Winks’ confidence level depreciating as fast as his stock in the side. It can be a harsh and unforgiving profession, as Winks has found out first hand.
The Englishman, who is still only 25 years old, can still have an incredibly bright future. But, as at it currently stands, probably not in north London. Tottenham’s midfield depth is such that Daniel Levy probably won’t ruminate too much in seeing Winks depart for pastures anew.
Valencia is clamouring at the opportunity to provide Winks with a new lease on life. While it won’t be an easy pill to swallow, maybe it’s best for all parties involved to see the energetic midfielder from Hemel Hempstead ply his trade in sunny Spain.