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Tottenham starlet likely to follow Ryan Mason’s path away from Spurs

By Rucker Haringey

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Emre Can of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 11, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Emre Can of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 11, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Harry Winks will struggle to stay at Tottenham

As a Tottenham fan it pains me to say this, but it’s time for Spurs fans to reign in their expectations for Harry Winks. The talented young midfielder is much more likely to follow Ryan Mason’s career arc at Spurs than to follow the ascendancy of Dele Alli or Harry Kane.

In fairness to Winks, I’m fairly certain that he’ll develop into a solid Premier League regular. That would probably put him a slot or two higher in England’s pecking order than Mason. Even so, it’s unlikely that he’s going to ever earn a regular starting spot under Mauricio Pochettino.

The simple truth is that he doesn’t do anything well enough to become a real standout. Some might argue that his ability to keep the ball moving in the midfield qualifies as an above average skill, but I would disagree. He’s an adequate passer of the ball with a bright football mind, but we’re not talking about Christian Eriksen level passing here.

The real trouble begins when you start evaluating his physical profile. Assuming he doesn’t have an extremely late growth spurt left in him, he’s going to be pretty small for a Premier League defensive midfielder. Winks also doesn’t possess elite speed. Just yesterday his lack of pace led to West Ham’s second goal.

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The only real way his physical profile will allow him to become a starter for Tottenham is if he evolves into an attacking midfielder. Given his lack of foot speed, that would require him becoming a standout number ten. You can accuse me of pessimism but I just don’t see that sort of potential in the lad. I’d love to see him grow into another Eriksen or Dele but it just doesn’t appear to be a realistic possibility.

As such, Winks’ career at Spurs is likely going to come down to whether or not he’s willing to accept a limited role. As long as he’s comfortable being a bench player who gets the occasional Cup match start, then Pochettino will be happy to keep him in the squad.

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If, as most players do, he starts to feel like he needs to become a regular member of the starting XI, he’ll have to move away from Tottenham to receive the opportunity. That conclusion will come as quite a blow to Winks’ fans on social media, but they’ll have to face the truth sooner or later.

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