Pochettino has brilliant private nickname for Tottenham rising star – report
By Harry Sykes
Mauricio Pochettino has privately dubbed Tottenham rising star Harry Winks ‘Little Iniesta’, according to a report.
The Mail claim the Spurs manager has taken to calling the central midfielder the brilliant nickname due to his playing likeness to Spain and Barcelona great Andres Iniesta.
It is said that the Pochettino inner circle use the flattering comparison due to Winks’ low centre of gravity, technical ability and passing range.
The Mail report that Wink was unaware of the nickname until it was put to him during an interview in Tennessee while on Spurs’ pre-season tour of the United States.
“I’d love him to — it’s not a bad title to have,” Winks said, as he expressed his surprise at the Iniesta comparison. “I’m not at that level just yet but I like to take different things from different players.
“Andres Iniesta is certainly the type of player I could look up to and I would like to draw parts of his game into mine.”
Winks made his breakthrough at Tottenham last season, accumulating 33 appearances before suffering an ankle injury towards the end of the campaign.
He is regarded as one of the latest star graduates of the impressive Spurs academy, which he joined at the age of five and which he credits for his development.
Winks is expected to play an increasing role in the senior side in the upcoming season despite the considerable competition for places in central midfield with the likes of Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier.
In other Tottenham news, Spurs are firmly in the driving seat to sign a creative spark for a bargain price and Pochettino wants the deal done.
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