Harry Winks has added the senior side to the full complement of levels at which he has now represented England.
Having lined out for the U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 squads; Winks was given his senior debut on Sunday evening by Gareth Southgate and he didn’t wilt under the pressure of the occasion.
The Spurs midfielder enjoyed a rather impressive pass accuracy of 96% as England finished their World Cup qualification campaign with a victory in Lithuania and he was praised by his manager after the game.
“In many aspects we moved the ball quite well,” Southgate said.
“I was very pleased with Winks in that respect. For me one of the big things playing for England isn’t necessarily the opposition, but whether you can carry the England shirt. He showed he could, tried to carry the ball forward where he could and did well.”
Sunday’s goalscorer and Winks’ club teammate, Harry Kane, echoed Southgate’s glowing assessment of Winks’ performance.
“I thought he played really well tonight,” Kane said of the 21-year-old. “He was probably one of the best players on the pitch.
“He deserves it. He’s come in and worked hard. I’m delighted for him and his family should be very proud.”
And while his all-around play provided plenty of hope for the future, one particular aspect of Winks’ appearance resulted in almost universal praise among viewers.
The midfielder’s decision to wear plain black boots in an era when so many players prefer flashier footwear went down an absolute storm on social media.
https://twitter.com/MatthewJRudd/status/917074562235404288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportbible.com%2Ffootball%2Freactions-funny-england-fans-are-loving-harry-winks-for-the-same-brilliant-reason-20171009
Never heard of Harry Winks an hour ago. Just seen he's wearing black boots.
*puts poster up on bedroom wall*
— Proper Magazine (@ProperMag) October 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/kingy_a_/status/917074676446310401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportbible.com%2Ffootball%2Freactions-funny-england-fans-are-loving-harry-winks-for-the-same-brilliant-reason-20171009
All black boots. Harry Winks becomes the complete midfielder.
— PixelChap (@PixelChap) October 8, 2017
Who didn’t love Harry Winks’s black boots? And with a name like that he surely fought at Agincourt in a previous life?
— Mark Pougatch (@markpougatch) October 8, 2017
Harry Winks, casually going about his business and proving what all THFC fans already knew. An Int’l baller all day long! And black boots 👌👌
— Chris Agnew (@chrisagnew15) October 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/AndrewCuddeford/status/917317306505670657
I like Harry Winks he wears black boots
Proper stuff in a world of fancy coloured slippers— Laurence (@7PastShilton) October 8, 2017
Really like Winks. Always looking to move the ball quickly & forward. Wearing black boots too.
— Ben Evans (@TheBen93) October 8, 2017
