‘If I was him’ – Former player sends message to Harry Winks about potential Spurs exit

Alan Hutton has urged Harry Winks to leave Tottenham Hotspur in the summer if he fails to become a regular feature in Antonio Conte’s starting line-up over the next few months.

Winks was struggling for game time under Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this season but the midfielder has had a new lease of life since the arrival of Conte.

While Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg still seem to be ahead of Winks in Conte’s pecking order, the England international has been handed plenty of opportunities over recent weeks and he has grabbed them with both hands.

The Tottenham boss has made it clear that Winks is part of his plans and that the midfielder will not leave Spurs in January.

However, Hutton believes the Tottenham academy graduate should consider leaving his boyhood club at the end of the season unless he manages to stamp his authority on this Spurs side.

When asked about Winks’ future, the former Tottenham right-back told Football Insider: “I think he’s toughed it out for a while. He’s been given certain games to come in and play, and that shows the manager’s commitment and trust in him.

“Now it’s up to Winks to back it up and perform in these games. If I was him, I’d be giving it until the end of the season to see where it takes me.

“If he can continue his good form and break into that Spurs midfield, then there’s an opportunity to stamp his authority on this team under Conte.

“But this is a massive few months for Winks in his Tottenham career. If he can’t get into that side, he’s got to move on.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Winks’ struggles over the last two years is understandable as it is never easy for a player to perform when he does not feel the trust of the manager and is not getting a regular run in the side.

I have been mightily impressed with how the 25-year-old has performed over recent weeks. I would not be surprised if he moves above Hojbjerg in Conte’s pecking order over the coming months.

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