Harry Winks - Leicester City

[ohtottenham!]

don't understand all the excitement. Yeah he's safe in possession but he's also a cautious player and sorry that just doesn't get me excited. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you got it you try your best to stand out from the crowd, which is why its ridiculous when someone above even mentioned a potential modric. No doubt he will improve but not to the heights some of you are dreaming about... Slam me all you fucking want.

It does matter how old you are! Can't think of many 18/19 year olds showing this much potential in practically every outing he's been given. We didn't see the true Modric till much later. One of Modric's strengths is that he's defensively aware when he makes his choices in his ball possession and distribution. Winks has that sense; that doesn't make him a cautious player.

 

[hughy]

An absolute gem, the assister to the assister

Exactly this. I'm under no illusions he's going to be racking up 15+ assists per season in all competitions like Eriksen, but he's the sort of player who will be involved in the build up to a lot of our goals.

He has an incredibly cool head under pressure, and even if he makes a mistake he's the first person to try and atone for his error and doesn't just shy away. Got caught napping on the ball a couple of times today but as soon as he cuts that out he'll be an absolute star.

 

[Ossie85]

It does matter how old you are! Can't think of many 18/19 year olds showing this much potential in practically every outing he's been given. We didn't see the true Modric till much later. One of Modric's strengths is that he's defensively aware when he makes his choices in his ball possession and distribution. Winks has that sense; that doesn't make him a cautious player.

Winks is 21 though. Not 18/19

I don't think he will reach Modric level, but still a very good player that suits us perfectly

 

[UpTownSpur]

Dembele may be in everyone's best team in 5 aside in training but I'm starting to think Winks is the better 11 aside option. He moves the ball quicker and spreads play better.

 

[ohtottenham!]

Winks is 21 though. Not 18/19

I don't think he will reach Modric level, but still a very good player that suits us perfectly

Fair point; just turned 21. Just looked it up. Thought he was younger, but still, he has so much already, and still, so much development potential ahead of him. What he has in his favour is that he learns and improves with every game.

 

[adamsky]

For all his eye catching attributes Dembele will always slow the game down, which is not what we need in most games. where we can look static and struggle to create. When our game is working perfectly it's not that much of a problem as we can find other ways to create, but sometimes the difference between creating a goal and just advancing possession can be moving the ball a second earlier so the AM's have more space and the defending team is in flux.

Winks can drop the shoulder do the pirouettes to lose his markers and pass quickly with incisive and dynamic movement and super close control, look forward to seeing how he grows as a player, and would happily have him starting games for us now with no fear that he would let us down.

Winks does look good but to suggest he should be picked ahead of Dembele is premature. I guarantee that opposition teams would prefer to be up against Winks.

 

[danielneeds]

Winks is 21 though. Not 18/19

I don't think he will reach Modric level, but still a very good player that suits us perfectly

I don't think his age has much to do with it. He's got the technique, and the application, but in his position particularly it's mostly about what goes on in between the ears.

Can he make the correct decisions week in, week out, under pressure?That what Modric excels at, and as been doing for years.

 

[Ossie85]

I don't think his age has much to do with it. He's got the technique, and the application, but in his position particularly it's mostly about what goes on in between the ears.

Can he make the correct decisions week in, week out, under pressure?That what Modric excels at, and as been doing for years.

I only mentioned the age because the post I quoted had his age wrong

 

[matthew.absurdum]

Put his name on my kit already

 

[nedley]

Winks is 21 though. Not 18/19

I don't think he will reach Modric level, but still a very good player that suits us perfectly

Few will.

The guy is a genius.

 

[raggy]

Saying he won't reach Modric levels seems like a completely pointless statement. Modric is the best midfielder in the world...

 

[davidmatzdorf]

Starting with Winks against opposition like Fulham is just good management. Because Fulham are determined to play a positive game, irrespective of opposition, there was plenty of space in midfield throughout the game. Fulham's central midfielders were the weakest part of their team today. They never closed down space effectively and never protected their defence with any resolution.

In that context, a tempo-setting, constructive, forward-looking Winks is an ideal replacement for Dembélé, because what was needed was someone who can zip the ball into the gaps left by the opposition.

Playing against more robust, cannier, pacier and more ruthless opposition, we need the physicality, the control of possession and the semi-invisible defensive nous of Dembélé. Winks has done pretty well when played against any style of opponent, but is not yet a dominating player. Dembélé is.

Harry Winks is now a completely-integrated part of the first team squad. He's right up there on the list, but he's a year or two off being the first choice central midfielder against really daunting opponents. He needs to develop his game-sense and his anticipation of trouble.

Then we'll see if the comparisons with Modric are realistic. They aren't far-fetched. Winks is presently a year and a half younger than Modric was when he joined us. It was Luka's second season before he really grew into his correct role. For most of his first season, he was stationed out on the left, to give him time to familiarise himself with the challenge.

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

don't understand all the excitement. Yeah he's safe in possession but he's also a cautious player and sorry that just doesn't get me excited. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you got it you try your best to stand out from the crowd, which is why its ridiculous when someone above even mentioned a potential modric. No doubt he will improve but not to the heights some of you are dreaming about... Slam me all you fucking want.

Watch this video. He's playing it slightly safer than his natural game whilst adapting to first team level, but the above is the player we will soon be seeing at this level too. Winks is far from an overly safe player - look at the ambition and forward thought in his passing in this match. The pass to set Trippier away for our second today was a great example of this.

 

[ljinko888]

He's got brilliant potential. Very calm and shows courage on the ball. And by courage I don't mean he's going to be pinging 40 yard passes from left to right and unlock a defence with an eye of a needle ball. Courageous in that he is always searching for the ball. Under pressure, closed down, in tight spaces - Winks will seek the ball and play out of a tricky situation. That's a trait that is rare in young players when they step up to senior level but he's got it.

He doesn't hide and he doesn't need someone to hold his hand. In fact he's the one who is speeding up our play. With Big Vic next to him there is strong protection nonetheless and it's a combo I want to see more of.

 

[millsey]

Let's be patient with him. No harm playing fa cup, Europa and bit part prem. we shouldn't rush him. Could be a very good player for us, but to start as a cm for a top 4 team week in week out, he will have to keep progressing

 

[ohtottenham!]

Starting with Winks against opposition like Fulham is just good management. Because Fulham are determined to play a positive game, irrespective of opposition, there was plenty of space in midfield throughout the game. Fulham's central midfielders were the weakest part of their team today. They never closed down space effectively and never protected their defence with any resolution.

In that context, a tempo-setting, constructive, forward-looking Winks is an ideal replacement for Dembélé, because what was needed was someone who can zip the ball into the gaps left by the opposition.

Playing against more robust, cannier, pacier and more ruthless opposition, we need the physicality, the control of possession and the semi-invisible defensive nous of Dembélé. Winks has done pretty well when played against any style of opponent, but is not yet a dominating player. Dembélé is.

Harry Winks is now a completely-integrated part of the first team squad. He's right up there on the list, but he's a year or two off being the first choice central midfielder against really daunting opponents. He needs to develop his game-sense and his anticipation of trouble.

Then we'll see if the comparisons with Modric are realistic. They aren't far-fetched. Winks is presently a year and a half younger than Modric was when he joined us. It was Luka's second season before he really grew into his correct role. For most of his first season, he was stationed out on the left, to give him time to familiarise himself with the challenge.

Think we actually have a valid rotation at our disposal right now with Dembele/Winks. I think Winks is ready. When you speak of space, pressure and defenders closing down, Dembele's great, Modric is great, but they deal with that in different ways. Modric better...and Winks is more in the Modric mold.

He has a sense of who's around him, can hold on to the ball, give himself space and then shift it quickly, sometimes for a killer pass. Dembele's great with the ball under pressure, he'll alleviate the pressure, can hold off and dribble past players, but won't put us on the front foot consistently.

Winks gets better with each game. His passing is improving. He can drive and shift forward to give himself space too. Don't know where he'll end up re his potential, but the trajectory's looking damn good!

 

[The Apprentice]

don't understand all the excitement. Yeah he's safe in possession but he's also a cautious player and sorry that just doesn't get me excited. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you got it you try your best to stand out from the crowd, which is why its ridiculous when someone above even mentioned a potential modric. No doubt he will improve but not to the heights some of you are dreaming about... Slam me all you fucking want.

If you think Winks is safe in possession, what would your assessment of Dembele/Wanyama/Dier safeness in possession be?

 

[yusrisafri]

Caugh caugh, been on that since preseason. When a CM2 of Wanyama and ______, it has to be Winks in front of Dembele. You sacrifice a bit of muscle and shield but you connect the play and open up space in attack cause he is just better than Dembele at getting his teammates involved.

But getting that across to the loyal fan base and Poch seems to take some time

Thats a bad cough there. Sounds different.

 

[Cravenspurs]

Thats a bad cough there. Sounds different.

Thanks!! I am very very good with words

 

[mpickard2087]

Not every pass has to be defence splitting, but in any case a couple of posts I have seen baffle me. Winks almost always gets it and is looking to move the ball forwards. I think people also miss the little things, he has a natural feel and appreciation for the game. Crisply weighted passes, passes that are often played in front of the man and that can be taken in stride, he doesn't stand and admire passes he's always on the move again to make the option. All these little things lead to the ball being zipped about quicker and better football.