For Spurs fans, few things are more enjoyable than seeing a youth prospect break through into the first-team. And for a while, the ‘two Harry’s’ were the pinnacle of the modern Spurs project. Harry’s Kane and Winks became England internationals together, and looked set to be the future of the club for many years to come. However, after what felt like a wonderful start to his Spurs career, Winks has slowly delivered some diminishing returns. This looks likely to end with a summer transfer this year.
Reports around the club suggest Winks has been told to find himself a new employer, ideally permanently. Antonio Conte is believed to see him as surplus to requirements, and would prefer to add more power to midfield. While Winks would benefit staying around due to the UEFA homegrown quota, he is not needed. And he needs to play to keep developing – his career has been more or less on hold for much of the last 24 months.
Now, it looks like both player and club are keen to move on and start afresh elsewhere. While it would be a shame to see the Enfield-born midfielder move on, it is probably for the best. A lack of game time under the last three coaches has seen Winks become a bit-part player, and he needs to play if he wants to meet his aims as a player and/or make it back into the England fold.
Poor form and ill fit for Conte means an exit makes sense
Watch any Conte side over the years, and diminutive playmakers are often not part of the squad make-up. This was proven at Inter, where midfield playmaker Stefano Sensi was relegated to a bit-part role himself. Sensi and Winks share many qualities, but also many weaknesses. Those weaknesses make it hard for Conte to offer enough game time to players like this. As such, it was always unlikely Winks would play much under the Italian.
Winks is well-liked by fans off the pitch, but his on-field performances have been degrading ever since the 2019 UEFA Champions League final run. For many fans, it is sad to see one of our own move on but it does make sense on the basis that he simply is not getting enough game time. If we were to be brutal, too, it is even hard to state that he is good enough for the club at this moment in time.
Back in the top four and fighting for trophies under Conte; Winks enjoyed his peak under Mauricio Pochettino. He has failed to kick on under Jose Mourinho, under Nuno Espirito Santo, and especially under Conte. A move to a team that can offer him more regular opportunities in the first-team would be the recommended action.
While it might be a shame to see his time at the club come to an end, it is what it is. For many, if Spurs want to progress, they need to leave guys like Winks behind.
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