Paul Merson has urged Everton to sign Tottenham’s Harry Winks and said the midfielder has become a ‘scapegoat’ at Spurs.
Winks has been linked with a move to Goodison Park and the ECHO has reported that both clubs have held talks over a potential deal. The ECHO also understands that Frank Lampard has identified the England international as a player who can bolster his midfield options heading into the new season.
Midfield is an area that Lampard has long been keen to strengthen this summer. Fabian Delph is set to depart the club in the coming days, while there is uncertainty over the futures of Allan and Andre Gomes.
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Winks is believed to be receptive to a move to Goodison Park and is keen to return to playing regularly after being frozen out by Antonio Conte at White Hart Lane last season. The midfielder made just 19 Premier League appearances during the 2021/22 campaign, starting in just nine of those games, the last of which was a February win over Leeds.
Since news has surfaced of the reported interest, the response from Everton fans has been mixed with the Goodison Park faithful not particularly enthused by the potential signing of Winks. However, Merson believes the addition of a midfielder with more than 200 Tottenham appearances and 10 England caps would be great news for Everton.
“I think Harry Winks will be a good player for Everton, after being a bit of a scapegoat at Tottenham,” Merson told the Daily Star.
“I think he is a good footballer who never got the rub of the green at Spurs. When Jose Mourinho was there, every time they lost, Winks would get benched. If Everton actually spend money on him rather than taking him on loan it will show the manager really wants him and the club really values him.
“You get more chances to play when a club buys you than you would if you were on loan. I think that’s a good move for him. I think he will come into his own. He is a better player than people think.
“I think he was trying too hard at Spurs. Trying to do something special to justify his place. But he’s at his best when he keeps it simple and gets you control in midfield.”
Merson also believes if Winks was to secure regular football at Goodison Park, he could even make a late push to play for England at this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
He said: “I think he even has a sneaky chance of gatecrashing England’s World Cup squad if he has an unbelievable start to the season.
“We don’t have anyone who can keep the ball in midfield. That’s why he still has a chance of going to the World Cup for me. This kid keeps it simple and keeps possession and keeps it ticking over. We will need that in Qatar.”
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