Tottenham star Pochettino called ‘perfect’ told to quit for Premier League rivals – pundit
Harry Winks must quit Tottenham for the good of his career as Southampton set sights on a move, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Premier League striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 25-year-old was wasted at Spurs under Jose Mourinho.
As revealed by Football Insider on Friday (9 April), Winks is firmly on Southampton’s radar ahead of the summer as Ralph Hasenhuttl looks to bolster his midfield.
The England international has seriously struggled for game time this term, with just seven league starts under his belt.
He has fallen behind by the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso and Moussa Sissoko in the Spurs pecking order.
Winks was a huge favourite of former boss Mauricio Pochettino, who told the Evening Standard he had the makings of a “perfect” midfielder like Andres Iniesta or Xavi.
Whelan insisted the Spurs star needs to get out of Spurs for the good of his career.
He suggested 14th-placed Southampton could be an ideal destination.
“You’ve got other England players there as well,” Whelan told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge.
“It shows it is not a club where you are out of fashion and you’re not going to get looked upon. That’s what he wants, he wants to break back into the England fold.
“He knows he can do that because there are players at Southampton who have gone and done that as well.
“You want to be playing regularly, it’s the only way you’re going to get back into the national side. It’s the only way Gareth Southgate is going to recognise that you’re progressing.
“It’s important if he’s out of favour there, that he just moves. Go to another club and start enjoying your football because he’s too good to be sitting on the bench.
“Someone that can get in the England side without even playing regularly shows that they’ve got something to offer.
“He’s a very good age. Everything is in front of Harry winks but he needs to be strong about this. If Jose is going to be there and he’s not going to be in favour then he needs to leave.”
In other news, Harry Kane has told friends his verdict on quitting Tottenham this summer.