After last season was cut short by injury, Harry Winks is now back in the Spurs team and embodies the Mauricio Pochettino philosophy. Winks has just come through three 90 minute appearances and is set to start again in Saturday evening’s game at Crystal Palace. At only 22 years of age, Winks has a maturity that belies those years. LWOF looks at just how and why Winks fits the Pochettino philosophy.
The Pochettino Philosophy and Harry Winks
Harry Winks has been shown a lot of trust by his manager and, at just 22, is fast becoming one of the first names on the team sheet. In last season’s Champions league, Winks showed maturity and guile to be the outstanding player against Real Madrid; that was at Wembley and the Santiago Bernabeu. He is quick to get up and down the field and looks to get the ball moving forward, although it has been suggested by some that he doesn’t always look to go forward. Winks tries to avoid making football more complicated than it needs to be. If there as a simple ball to a teammate, he will look to play it but he is by no means a negative player. His energy is very much something that embodies the Pochettino philosophy.
Forwards to Glory
In the Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven on 6th November, Winks created seven chances. According to WhoScored, that was the most chances created by one player in this season’s competition. In the Premier League, Winks has won 30 of the 46 appearances he has made. That is a staggering statistic and one that shows just how important the midfielder is to this Pochettino side
Passion for His Spurs
Harry Winks is another homegrown player and his passion for Spurs is evident. After the win over PSV, he punched the air and was a Spurs fan, celebrating after a hard-fought yet deserved victory, consequently keeping Spurs’ slim chances of progression alive.
Winks only has one goal to his name but with his marauding style of play, you sense it will not be long before he starts getting on the scoresheet more often. He is not afraid of a hard tackle and the fact he has just come through three games in a row is a testament to how his own ankle injury seems to have been dealt with.
General Harry Winks?
Spurs have struggled with injuries this season and Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele are both still on the sidelines. Victor Wanyama is still not match-fit, so it is a perfect time for Winks to take his chance. He is stronger than he looks, quicker than he looks and has a good footballing brain. If he can stay fit, Harry Winks may well be the man who means everything to the philosophy.
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