Winks impressing everyone

Harry Winks has been impressing everyone

Sir Alex Ferguson used to say that desire was the most important quality in players.

Kenny Swain was a Chelsea full-back who also played for Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest amongst others before moving into management at Wigan and becoming the England Under-16 coach. He also managed the England Under-17 side for 18 months.

Under him for England was harry Winks, a young player coming through the academy quietly at Spurs. While others were perhaps talked about more, it is Harry Winks who has emerged as the recent star from our academy. He very quickly overtook Tom Carroll who has had to move on to find any game time at all.

“He was a great team member, a diamond personality, with a real thirst for learning and training. When he scored against West Ham in November (Winks’ first senior goal), I was out of my seat. 

“But the challenge for English kids playing in the Premier League today takes my breath away. They have not only to get into the side, but to stay in it — at clubs who can buy some of the best players in the world. 

“People say there is not enough talent in the English game but look who they are competing against — the elite from every country. But Sir Alex Ferguson used to say that desire was the most important quality in players, and Harry is like a dog with a bone. He will not let this chance go. He is still developing and there is plenty more to come from him, especially physically.”