Pundit implies that Liverpool defender could be better midfield option than Spurs centre-mid

Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks was handed his second consecutive England start against Montenegro on Thursday and helped them to a comfortable win.

Winks put in a typically assured display and earned Gareth Southgate’s praise for his display (Daily Mail).

Even though he might have found himself on the bench at Spurs in recent weeks, it looks like the 23-year-old is finally starting to nail down a starting spot for the Three Lions.

However, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes England already have one player in their squad who can do better than Winks in his position when he suggested as a joke Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The full back has been in terrific form for the Reds over the last year and a half and Keown felt that he would be much more influential playing in midfield than at right back. He opined Winks should be the player to make way for the Liverpool star.

Speaking to Jim White’s talkSPORT show, the former England man said,“He is an absolute a joy to watch play. It was as if he was wandering around Wembley with a golf bag, picking up a pitching wedge or a seven iron.

“The capability he has with his left foot, right foot…. I was sat with Sol Campbell last night trying to argue that he should play centre midfield for England.

“Traditionally you give the ball to a midfield player and he is a better player than you and a midfield player gives it to a front player who is also perhaps better than that player. When Winks gets the ball, is he better than Alexander-Arnold?

“I take nothing away from Winks because he had another decent night last night but I think Alexander-Arnold could go in there and pull the strings for England.

“We have a catalogue of other full-backs that can be used in that right-back position. Kyle Walker wasn’t even in the squad, Kieran Trippier didn’t play last night, we have Reece James coming through at Chelsea.

“He is more than capable Alexander-Arnold of playing in the England midfield.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I do agree that Alexander-Arnold will evolve into a midfielder as his passing and technical ability are second to none. However, at this point, I would still prefer to start with Winks in the deep-lying midfield position over the Liverpool man as Winks has proven at adept at helping the team retain the ball and play out from the back.

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