Roy Keane plays down the impact of Spurs academy product

England managed to seal qualification to Euro 2020 with a thumping 7-0 win against Montenegro on Thursday evening.

While there were great performances all across the pitch for Gareth Southgate’s men, Harry Kane stole the spotlight with a brilliant first half hat-trick.

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane who was analysing the game for ITV has given his take on the performance of another Spurs man who featured in the game, Harry Winks.

The Spurs academy product has a lot of competition for his place in the England side with West Ham midfielder Declan Rice being one of those who are looking to stake a claim for the slot.

Winks was handed his second consecutive start by Southgate after starring against Bulgaria last month and the 23-year-old certainly repaid the manager’s faith by putting in a typically industrious and competent display in the heart of England’s midfield.

However, Keane insisted that Winks doesn’t create enough going forward.

He told ITV during their like coverage of the match on 14/11/19 (as relayed by HITC), “He (Winks) keeps things ticking over. I still think he has a lot to do as a player. He’s having a tough time with Spurs.

“But he does link up play. Is he a match-winner? I still don’t think he does enough in terms of creating stuff, but he’s a steady Eddie.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Winks’ role isn’t really to be a creative force in the team. His role is to help progress the ball from the defence into the attacking midfielders and forwards, and ensure the team hangs on to the ball in tight spaces. His skill set is quite unique among English midfielders and he is thus very important to the squad.

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