Tottenham could start Harry Winks against Middlesbrough
Injuries could push Winks into the Tottenham starting XI
Tottenham may be heading to Middlesbrough this weekend without several of their top defensive midfielders. Injuries to both Eric Dier and Moussa Dembele could push Spurs starlet Harry Winks into the starting XI.
Mauricio Pochettino revealed that the availability of both midfielders could be a game time decision. Both left last weekend’s Sunderland match early with apparent hamstring injuries. If neither is passed fit, it could push Winks right into the spotlight.
Fortunately for Spurs, Victor Wanyama is available for selection and will almost certainly assume one of the starting spots in the double-pivot. That gives Pochettino the freedom to select any number of players to play alongside the Kenyan.
Dele Alli and Moussa Sissoko would be the club’s other options to slide back into the defensive midfield. Alli started in that role against Monaco, but was largely ineffective. Sissoko has played a number of matches for Newcastle as a defensive midfielder, but certainly prefers to play further up the pitch.
Want your voice heard? Join the Playing for 90 team!
That leaves Winks as the most obvious selection. He’s clearly ahead of Tom Carroll in Pochettino’s pecking order and he put on an excellent display against Gillingham on Wednesday. Certainly Middlesbrough would represent a significant step up in competition, but Winks seems ready for the challenge.
Don’t forget that Pochettino has already included him on the bench for several of Spurs’ early Premier League matches. That shows the manager’s confidence in the relatively unproven starlet. It’s not as if Tottenham are shy about throwing young players into the fray.
In actuality, he might be a better fit than Dier to start next to Wanyama. He started his career as an attacking player so he is comfortable carrying the ball forward into attack. His inclusion in the starting XI might help Spurs get off to a more attacking start. Of course, if Dembele is fit, he can provide that impetus as well.
It could end up being quite a big week for Spurs starlet Harry Winks. If things break right, he could get his first Premier League start against Middlesbrough.
More from Playing for 90
This article originally appeared on 
