Harry Winks has admitted that he had lost a little of his love for football during his final couple of years at Tottenham, revealing that he has regained it since moving to Leicester City.
Winks’ decision to drop down to the Championship with Leicester might have surprised a few people, given that it was only a few years ago that the midfielder had looked like a generational talent and played a key role in Tottenham’s progression to the final of the Champions League.
In fact, Gareth Southgate himself earmarked the Spurs academy graduate as someone who could be the heartbeat of the England side for years to come (ESPN).
However, a combination of injuries and being overlooked by successive Tottenham managers saw the 28-year-old’s career nose dive, forcing him to drop down a division.
That decision has proven to be an inspired one, with Winks looking a class apart in the Championship. The former Tottenham man’s consistent performances are a key reason why the Foxes are now sitting nine points clear at the top of the table.
Harry Winks had a tough time at Tottenham
Winks has now opened up on his struggles at his boyhood club and he admitted that he is now enjoying his football more than he ever has.
The midfielder told BBC Sport: “Maybe the last two or three years of my time at Spurs was tough, but before that it was amazing and I loved every minute. I learned a lot from that as well, it definitely develops your character when you don’t play as regularly and you don’t feel as important.
“But again I wouldn’t want to change it for anything, I’ve learned so much along the way in my career and it makes you enjoy the highs more when you’ve been through that
“I probably did lose a little bit of love for it in the last couple of years when I wasn’t playing and left out of squads and things like that. It’s difficult to find that love for it, but once you make the brave decision to leave and go to Italy and try to find it there, which I did, and to come here… now it is probably the most I’ve ever enjoyed football in my career.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Winks is not only Tottenham through and through but also comes across as a model professional and a fantastic lad. I am delighted to see that he has now got back his love for the game and I have no doubt that he will thrive in the Premier League next season now that he has his confidence back.