Alasdair Gold has claimed on his YouTube channel that Everton are interested in Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks.
Everton’s 39.7% possession was the lowest in the Premier League, one of many low points in a disappointing season that saw them finish 16th.
In an effort to rectify this, Frank Lampard is reportedly looking to bring a new midfielder to Goodison Park, especially with Fabian Delph and Gylfi Sigurdsson’s contracts expiring this summer.
One of the targets is Winks, who has only made 18 starts in the last two years, falling behind Pierre Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Oliver Skipp in Spurs’ pecking order.
With the 26-year-old being told he can leave the north London club, Gold believes that he could make the move up north next season.
“Keep an eye on Everton, I’d say. Everton tried a couple of times to sign him in January before and after Lampard’s arrival, Lampard is a fan of Harry Winks.
“Obviously, Conte didn’t want to let him go back in January because Spurs were having issues, we knew [Oliver] Skipp was having problems as well.
“So keep an eye on Everton. I think there’s quite a bit of interest in him but Everton certainly have inquired before.”
Our thoughts on Gold’s Winks claim…
The England international would bring a different level of ability on the ball to the Toffees’ midfield. He is in the top 2% for progressive passes, and the top 1% for through balls.
These talents led former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino compare the £15.3m-rated maestro to Xavi and Iniesta.
“Harry has the profile of the midfield player perfect. But I don’t want to talk and praise his quality too much because if so his head [grows big]. His perception will be ‘wow’ and the reality is you still need to prove [yourself].
“The characteristics are perfect to play football. When we talk about midfielders, because you like to use Spanish midfielders like Xavi and Iniesta, he’s like this type of player, this capacity.”
While the Tottenham academy graduate can be defensively suspect, being in the bottom 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for successful pressures, no player in Frank Lampard’s side can match his 6.73 progressive passes per 90 mins.
Considering that the £91k-per-week ace’s partner at Goodison Park could be Allan, who leads his side in tackles per game and is in the top 1% of all midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for successful pressures, Winks could play to his strengths in Everton, which would make him a good signing.
AND in other news, “For sure” – Sky Sports Pundit backs Lampard to bring “fantastic” £10.8m-rated gem to Everton…