RAZGRAD, BULGARIA - NOVEMBER 05: Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the UEFA Europa League Group J stage match between PFC Ludogorets Razgrad and Tottenham Hotspur at Ludogorets Arena on November 5, 2020 in Razgrad, Bulgaria. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
According to The Telegraph, Harry Winks is set to sit down with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to sort out his future at the club. Winks has fallen down the pecking order in recent times under Jose Mourinho and with the European Championships coming next year, he wants game time to secure a place in the England squad.
Winks, 24, rose through the ranks of Tottenham’s youth system and was promoted to the club’s senior setup in the summer of 2016. Since then, he has been a regular member of the squad. He was also instrumental in helping his side reach the Champions League finals in 2018/19.
Since making his debut for England in 2017, he has made 8 appearances for his nation so far. Despite struggling with injuries, he returned to Gareth Southgate’s squad for the UEFA Nations League games and is seen as one of the best young talents in the country.
However, he has struggled for regular game time in recent seasons as Jose Mourinho has a huge stock of options in midfield. Winks has been rather average this season. He still remains a part of the team, getting games on a sporadic basis.
When Tottenham signed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, it was seen as a huge coup. Along with Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele, he has been Mourinho’s first-choice midfielder. This is rightly so because the trio has performed exceptionally well and the club are reaping the rewards.
This has left someone like Winks in limbo. Winks has been a good player but in the chances that he has been given this season, he hasn’t shown his full potential. With fixtures coming thick and fast, the club can’t afford to keep giving opportunities to a budding player like Winks.
The club already have the likes of Giovani Lo Celso, Dele Alli and Gedson Fernandes in their ranks and they aren’t getting game time either. With Spurs looking well set in their midfield combination, it is very unlikely that Winks would be seen as anything more than a squad option.
Keeping his future in mind, the club should try to sanction a sale or loan deal for him. At 24, he should be a regular starter at a club and not just another rotation option. If the player is to make it to the England squad for next summer’s showpiece event, he has to push for a move away from the club, be it on a permanent or temporary basis.