Harry Winks hails Tottenham midfield team-mates for their role in his remarkable rise

Looking ahead | Harry Winks
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Jack Rosser @JackRosser_27 October 2017

Harry Winks has heaped praise on his Tottenham midfield teammates for making his transition into a key first team member a smooth one.

The Spurs academy graduate, who enjoyed a good debut Premier League season last term before injury brought it to an abrupt end, made his first start of the season against Barnsley in the EFL Cup and within a month had made his England debut and played 90 minutes at Real Madrid.

Winks’ performances for both Spurs and England have brought praise from all managers, pundits and fans, though the midfielder insists Mauricio Pochettino’s style of play, and those alongside him, have aided his game.

“We like to play quite an energetic, expansive game,” Winks said in Tottenham’s matchday programme against West Ham.

“Everyone likes to rotate, have freedom and play creatively and we get to express ourselves on the pitch, so it’s brilliant as a midfielder to have almost no restrictions to go out there and play.

“For me, when you have people like Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele or Victor Wanyama – whoever is playing – alongside you in there in the middle, you know you’ve always got top players around you who can help you out.”

Injuries to both Dembele and Wanyama have allowed Winks to step up and shine in a Spurs shirt, though he understands his place in the squad and is relishing the chance he has been given.

“They’re two top players and I’ve got nothing but respect for them,” Winks added.

In Pictures | Real Madrid vs Tottenham | 17/10/2017

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“They’ve been around a lot longer than me so they’ve got a lot more experience than me and a lot more game management time than I have, but at the moment I’m enjoying my football, I feel like I’m playing well and I’m loving being able to have the shirt whenever selected.

“Obviously I’ve been in there with Eric a little bit lately which is brilliant – we complement each other’s games well but playing next to any midfielder at Tottenham is brilliant for me personally because everyone is so good.

“Eric has stepped into midfield in the last few seasons and he’s been exceptional, so he’s a player that I look up to in terms of his defensive qualities as well has his technical abilities.

“From my side, though, my most important focus now is just to keep working hard, keep producing and keep playing well to carry that momentum on.

“I’m not getting carried away. My aim is to make progress and make as many appearances as I can.”

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