Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks put in a man of the match display in the heart of England’s midfield as they saw off Kosovo 4-0 in the Euro 2020 qualifiers yesterday afternoon.
This was the first time the 23-year-old has started both games for England during an intentional break, perhaps a sign of his growing importance to the current England set up.
Winks was deployed in a slightly more advanced role by Gareth Southgate with him being partnered with West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, who sat in front of the back four.
This allowed the Spurs midfielder to play a box to box role and he got forward to have a positie impact in the game, even netting England’s opener with a a brilliant first touch followed by a smart finish after being played through on goal by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Some Spurs fans were left impressed with Winks’ performance and insisted that the midfielder was still extremely underrated by fans in the country.
Others called for Mauricio Pochettino to try the midfielder in a box to box role rather than in a midfield pivot where the Argentine has preferred to play him.
Never seen him once in that position for us. Hopefully poch is watching ??
— james (@James882James) November 17, 2019
Harry Winks the rightful heir to Michael Carrick’s throne. What a player
— Jamie (@jmemc55) November 14, 2019
Winks!!!!! I think he needs to play a bit further forward for us.
— Andy C (@all_spurs) November 17, 2019
I think spurs should use him in the role England used him in tonight, as a number 8
— David d Taylor (@dayvid_d_taylor) November 17, 2019
Well deserved winksy ???
— Kelly Biggs (@princesskelly87) November 17, 2019
Harry Winks vs Kosovo (A):
1 Goal
76 Passes
96% Pass accuracy
8 Long balls
100% Tackles succeeded
2 Interceptions
6 RecoveriesControlled the game and drove us forward. Another influential performance, he’s such an underrated player⚪️? pic.twitter.com/JPzSh5YT2r
— Manny (@MannyTHFC) November 17, 2019
That is what happens when you play Winks 15m further forward ?
— SteveT (@steveto63) November 17, 2019
Time to drop the agenda. Time to realise that this gorgeous man is a king. He is Tottenham through and through and there is absolutely nothing anyone can do about it. Nothing but absolute love and respect for one of Europe’s best prospects. Harry Winks pic.twitter.com/0poz6wSNlI
— DT (@KingKane_10) November 17, 2019
Go on Harry Winks! Quality little goal!
— Trevor Lloyd (@Trevorlloyd92) November 17, 2019
Spurs Web Opinion
While Winks has the skill set to play a box to box role, I still believe his best position is as a deep-lying playmaker. I believe someone like Tanguy Ndombele has more to his game going forward but Winks is extremely skilled at keeping possession in tight spaces and in transitioning the ball from the defence into midfield.