Winks is now his club and country’s best option as a deep playmaker

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Harry Winks was not a major player for either club or country last season, but the sands shift quickly in the world of football.

The diminutive midfielder played a starring role as England secured an historic 3-2 victory in Spain as he made the very most of the absence of Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard.

Now, opportunity knocks at both domestic and international level. For Tottenham, Mousa Dembele looks set to complete his protracted move to China next summer, so Winks should get games in the meantime.

For England, he is the option that most resembles a deep-lying playmaker for Gareth Southgate.

England have holding players, Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier. In Alli and Lingard, they have number 10s. But in terms of central midfielders who can dictate the pace of a game, take the ball in tight areas and pick a pass, Winks is by far the best option..

The landscape is the same at club level, in the expected absence of Dembele, Winks is Pochettino’s big hope.

Last season must have been so frustrating for the midfielder, but this time around, he has an enormous opportunity. It’s up to Winks to grab it.