Mauricio on Winksy

Mauricio Pochettino believes the desire to improve every day will continue to drive Harry Winks forward.

Still only 22, the midfielder earned his second cap for England in a famous 3-2 win against Spain in Seville on Monday night.

Starting alongside team-mate Eric Dier and Ross Barkley as Gareth Southgate matched-up Spain’s 4-3-3 system, ‘Winksy’ was everywhere, breaking up play, looking to press forward, brave on the ball, typically full of energy. Kieran Trippier and Harry Kane, outstanding as England went 3-0 up, joined Winksy in the line-up.

Mauricio has been there every step of the way for the Academy graduate, handing him his Spurs debut aged 18 in 2014, his first Premier League start in 2016 – marked by a goal against West Ham - and starts in huge Champions League matches against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and most recently, Barcelona.

Winksy, already with 70 appearances for us under his belt in all competitions, has responded and impressed every step of the way.

“We talk a lot, we have a conversation every day,” said Mauricio. “Always we try to help, to improve, to show the reality in football and life in the same way.

“He needs to build his career, of course, and always have the mentality that it’s always possible to improve.

“He’s potentially a fantastic player. That’s reality. But still we believe he has the potential to improve. This is a moment where he needs to be open to learn and improve, not to stop in his development and always think that he can improve every day.”