Jamie O’Hara backs Harry Winks for regular England role over Declan Rice

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Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara wants to see Harry Winks become an England regular.

The 23-year-old made Gareth Southgate’s latest squad after being snubbed for the UEFA Nations League, but did not feature against Bulgaria on Saturday.

Instead, Declan Rice was selected to start in the engine room alongside Jordan Henderson much to the delight of West Ham fans.

It was, statistically, a steady and solid display from the 20-year-old, although some did criticise him for his lack of creativity.

In the eyes of O’Hara, Tottenham man Winks should be Southgate’s go-to man despite Rice’s encouraging signs.

He said on talkSPORT (quoted by football.london): “For me, he reminds me of Michael Carrick. I would play Winks in front of the back four, sitting in front, and play him alongside [James] Maddison and [Mason] Mount, because they can be the future of England.

“He [Winks] is definitely something England have been looking for. I think he has got a bit more to his game than Declan Rice. He has got something special about him, and I believe with a bit more experience, he can be our best midfielder.”

O’Hara’s comments are obviously quite divisive, with West Ham fans sure to disagree.

TBR’s view

Winks and Rice are both great players and bring different things to the table, and so it all really depends what Southgate values more.

Winks is arguably a better user of the ball and seeks to play forwards more often, He is also better technically.

Rice is tidy in possession and can keep England ticking. While not as incisive as Winks, he is the slightly better ball-winner.

Perhaps both could be the future in a double pivot, with Henderson now 29 years of age and perhaps nearing the end of his England career.