Has Winks earned more playing time at Tottenham yet?

Antonio Conte made it clear Harry Winks is not leaving Tottenham Hotspur; now the question is if Winks has done enough to garner more playing time for Spurs? 

Before Antonio Conte came to Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Winks was likely in the group of players shortlisted for the exit from N17. However, given a renewed commitment to the club and starting to find a role that fits his skillset in the midfield, Winks again looks like part of the future for Spurs. Having played well in his last few outings, has Wins earned more playing time at Tottenham?

The case for more minutes for Winks at Tottenham

The game was not a win but the draw with Liverpool was one of Tottenham’s more exciting offensive displays in quite some time. Part of the was Liverpool, who plays a very open brand of football, which is going to mean both teams should get some chances. Part of Spurs’ success that day was also down to the forward passes of Winks.

Again against Morecambe, when the rest of the starting XI were forgettable Winks was trying to make plays with looping passes and chips into the limited space available. It was Winks’ free-kick that scored Spurs’ first goal and his corners were solid as well.

At this point, in a team crying for service and some creativity, Winks can provide a bit of both. As other players continue to shy away from the kind of passes that may not be completed but if completed may be dangerous, Winks at least tries to deliver.

Why Winks may not get more minutes than he does

One of the common denominators in many of the recent appearances for Winks has been with Tottenham in a five-man midfield. Winks struggled mightily last season in Jose Mourinho’s two-deep set-up and has barely featured in a two-man midfield for Conte. However, in a five-man midfield Winks has shined.

If Winks is to get more time, it would likely mean a greater commitment to a five-man midfield, which likely leaves one of Oliver Skipp or Pierre Hojbjerg out, as Tottenham would need a more attack-minded midfielder to play ahead of Winks.

Thus far, Conte has shown Skipp and Hojbjerg are his preferred tandem but with the team also trying to compensate for the absence of Heung-min Son over the next several maybe a five-man midfield is what is required. If Conte elects to go that way, then we will start seeing more minutes for Winks.