NICOSIA, CYPRUS - SEPTEMBER 26: Praxitelis Vouros of of Apoel FC and Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur battle for possession during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Apoel Nicosia and Tottenham Hotspur at GSP Stadium on September 26, 2017 in Nicosia, Cyprus. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Harry Winks impresses in Tottenham win over APOEL
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks took a big career step by bossing much of the action during Spurs’ Champions League tilt versus APOEL Nicosia.
Much of the supposed “magic” surrounding the tenure of Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has involved the growth and improvement of young talent. Harry Kane evolved into one of the world’s best finishers under Pochettino. Dele Alli is now worth a small fortune on the open market. Christian Eriksen cemented himself as an elite play-maker who could be courted by the likes of Barcelona or Bayern Munich.
Thus, it is easy to understand why pockets of Spurs supporters are over the moon roughly 24 hours after 21-year-old midfielder Harry Winks produced a sparkling performance in Tottenham’s 3-0 victory over APOEL Nicosia in Tuesday’s Champions League affair. Winks was as good, if not better, than advertised versus an overmatched opponent that gave the Premier League side multiple scares in both halves, and it likely won’t be long before some suggest Winks deserves looks versus top English sides.
For a moment, let’s choose to move cynicism about quality of opponent aside and instead focus on Winks’ play. With Eriksen sidelined because of injury and Alli out due to suspension, Winks breathed life into a lineup that struggled to break through the APOEL defense for the bulk of the first half. Winks served as the Tottenham spark via his desire to get on the ball, and he was responsible for multiple clever passes that became overshadowed once Kane notched a hat-trick.
Much like with Kane, Winks possesses more strength than one may believe upon seeing him, and the midfielder used power and pace to win battles versus APOEL defenders in both halves. Unlike teammate Mousa Dembele, who appears able to drive through midfielders like a tank when fully fit, Winks can catch observers off-guard with types of runs that can shatter a back line’s confidence.
Regardless of how enamored one felt following Winks’ showing, Kane deservedly earned headlines after hitting the back of the net three times on European club football’s biggest stage. Had Kane been held to a brace, Winks easily could’ve won Man of the Match honors for playing the role of the midfield general Tottenham required en route to matching Real Madrid, in points, atop the so-called “group of death” that includes Borussia Dortmund and APOEL.
The excitement and emotions generated by Tottenham’s win on Tuesday will inevitably lead to discussions and commentaries about Winks’ future with Spurs and the national team. Pochettino won’t be moved in either direction by such opinions, even if he does have a history of rewarding players who perform admirably with additional opportunities. If anything, the Tottenham boss would probably suggest Winks’ outing versus APOEL is yet another sign his plan is working according to schedule.
Those yearning to immediately see more from Winks in multiple competitions would do well to remember he is just now fully recovered from the ankle injury he suffered this past April. His return to form and to the lineup is a marathon, not a sprint, and nobody should be surprised if Pochettino shows caution in dealing with such a promising player who hasn’t yet entered his physical prime.
With that said, Tuesday’s match provided hope Winks could ultimately replace Dembele sooner rather than later. Dembele turned 30 years old this past summer, and his injury history combined with his age suggests Spurs have already milked the best the club will get from the Belgian. Pochettino utilizing Winks to manage Dembele’s minutes will provide the manager with the depth Tottenham need heading into the heart of the campaign.
Should Tottenham supporters want to see Winks start versus Real, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea? Maybe not, at least not yet, but he could give Pochettino plenty to think about over the next month, or so, during a time when the boss will be tasked with juggling lineups in multiple competitions.
