MX23RW : Friday, March 29 02:38:09| >> :60:3328:3328:

Mauricio Pochettino: 'Harry Winks like Xavi, Andres Iniesta'

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino claims that midfielder Harry Winks could be England's 'Xavi or Andres Iniesta'.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that Harry Winks could be England's 'Xavi or Andres Iniesta'.

Winks impressed for Tottenham in the early stages of the 2017-18 campaign, and also put in a man-of-the-match performance on his England debut against Lithuania in October.

The midfielder picked up an ankle injury in November, however, and eventually underwent surgery in May.

Winks has returned to the fold this season, appearing in Tottenham's last three Premier League matches.

Pochettino has said that the 22-year-old's "characteristics are perfect", and has insisted that he could become "one of the best midfielders in England" if he continues to develop.

"His characteristics are perfect. When we talk about midfielders like [Spain greats] Xavi and Iniesta, he's like this type of player. He has this capacity but he needs to take my words in a very positive way - he needs a lot of work," he told reporters.

"I don't want to praise him too much because if so his head [grows big]! His perception will be 'wow!' And the reality is he still needs to prove [himself].

"He has the possibility and the potential, of course, but now it is up to him and we go again: mentality. In his mind he is capable to learn about suffering: there never is enough training, always try to be better. Football must be his focus, not the business around football.

"Maybe [if he learns this] he will play at a very good level and be one of the best midfielders in England. If he wants to take my advice, take it. If people don't want to take it, we cannot help. But of course his potential is to be a very, very good player for England and Tottenham. First for Tottenham and then, if England believe that he can help them, for England, too."

Winks has scored once in 64 first-team appearances for Tottenham.

ID:335424: cacheID:335424:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3012:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Hugo Lloris in action for Tottenham Hotspur on August 13, 2018
Read Next:
Lloris offered to quit as Spurs skipper?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!