Danny Murphy claims Harry Winks should be starting for Tottenham

Add as preferred source on Google

Danny Murphy has claimed that Harry Winks would be starting if he was in charge at Tottenham.

The 23-year-old has been a regular in the Spurs group this campaign, but has been dropped from the starting XI in the last two Premier League matches.

He’s been unable to discover his top form in recent months and has been playing in a team that are miles off their regular standards.

The England international has linked up with Gareth Southgate’s squad this week and could do with some minutes to restore some belief.

Winks has shown in the past he can be a central midfielder that dictates play with his variety of passing and someone that screens the back four with his defensive cover.

Ex-Spurs midfielder Murphy believes that Winks should be a regular in the centre of the park for Mauricio Pochettino’s team.

“I don’t get to see the players play every day in training, but I tell you this much three of those on the bench would be playing every week because they are reliable,” Murphy told talkSPORT (4:25pm, 12 November).

“Winks, not been playing well as everyone is expecting, but you know what you get. 100%, he’s tenacious, he does the job, he’s disciplined and he can pass.”

TBR’s View:

Winks on his day can be a brilliant midfield pivot for the side, but there is no doubt he’s not performing at his best and is guilty alongside many of his teammates of dropping off this season.

He’s still a relatively young talent that can find his feet again and Spurs could do with that quickly.

There is stiff competition though now in the midfield with the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso all trying to squeeze into the XI.

Winks can take care of possession perhaps better than his teammates, but he needs to get back to forward-thinking passes that can impact games.