MX23RW : Thursday, November 14 17:40:03| >> :120:15625:15625:

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
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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!