Opinion: An ode to Harry Winks – Forever one of our own at Tottenham

It looks like Harry Winks is on his way out this summer. Given this, I felt the need to write a piece thanking him for his service.

Winks will forever embody the Mauricio Pochettino era. A hard-working midfielder who linked up Spurs’ play and kept the ball ticking.

Winks gave us some truly amazing performances, from bossing it at the Bernabeu to scoring on his full debut in the league against West Ham, and who could forget that audacious goal against Ludogorets from near the halfway line.

The former academy player has spent his entire professional career at Spurs, never even taking a loan away from his precious boyhood club. He is one of only two current first-team players to have done that, the other being Japhet Tanganga.

Winks wasn’t the best academy product to come out in recent times, that would be Harry Kane. Neither was he the best midfielder of this era, that would be Moussa Dembele.

But, what Winks was, was a player who knew what it meant to play for Tottenham Hotspur. Winks lived the dream we’ve all had. Stepping out in that famous lilywhite kit and representing this beautiful club in the world’s best league, as well as representing and scoring for his country.

While the Englishman did suffer criticism from pundits and fans alike, he showed a never say die attitude.

Winks always made himself available to the Spurs manager. Whether that was Mauricio Pochettino or Antonio Conte, or anyone in between. He showed he knew what it meant to play for the badge.

His imminent departure is inherently sad. Although he isn’t the most blessed player, not given size nor strength nor pace by the footballing gods, Winks’ self-driven tenacity is what set him apart from others. Something that I for one will miss.

We wish you all the best Winksy, you deserve it.

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