Harry Winks reveals his easy decision to join Leicester

Leicester City star signing Harry Winks has spoken out about his transfer to the Foxes. Here is what he said and our opinion on this signing so far.

The King Power club lost previously coveted Belgian Starman Youri Tielemans on a free, and the task of replacing such a crucial player could not have been understated. Well, Enzo Maresca got his man early in the window in English midfielder Harry Winks – a near-perfect stylistic replacement.

The former Tottenham Hotspurs starlet has a critical role in the ‘Marescaball’ system: to be the progressor and technician in midfield who can link the defence, wings, and forwards. That is a role he has excelled at.

FB Ref rate the player within the 99th percentile for pass completion, 85th for progressive passing, 74th for carries, and 88th for shot creating actions. This means Winks is among the best in passing, moving the ball, and supporting the team in building chances. He is integral to how Maresca wants to set out the Foxes.

Harry Winks’ easy Leicester City decision

The King Power Club needed an injection of passion, positivity, and a winning mentality to cure their abyssal fall into the EFL Championship. Now, the Foxes look to progress at the first time of asking, although it is not a requirement. Winks has that mentality and passion to help us progress.

Beyond these features, there is an underlying highly positive attitude which puts Winks at the forefront of the Foxes’ Championship season. The only evidence we need for that is what the player has recently said about his decision to make the move from Spurs:

"“Leicester as a club speaks for itself, it’s a huge club, the name, the infrastructure, the fans, the training ground, everything sort speaks for itself. From a personal level I wanted to get in a full preseason, get as fit as I could, and to start playing as quickly as possible”"

There are several key bits of information to unpack. Firstly, when Leicester came to Winks’ agent, the midfielder swiftly decided to join partly due to the stature and nature of the club as a Premier League side. The fan base, the academy, and Seagrave offer a positive new start for a player formerly considered a starlet by the Tottenham faithful.

Next, it is worth noting that what the Englishman wanted least was uncertainty in his career. After being nigh cast aside, it was time to move on and he did not wish to wait, and therefore when a large club came calling, Winks had to jump at the opportunity.

Finally, we also know he is up for Maresca’s main challenge: promotion the first time of asking:

"“just want to be part of something and fight for something rather than playing somewhere where it’s not going to be as exciting as this. This project is so exciting”"

To have a specific goal to be committed towards, a starting and integral role in achieving that goal, and the right set of players around him to realise that commitment is a clearly exciting prospect for someone on the sidelines for so long. A challenge to fight for, not another day at the office. That is the winning mentality and passion the Foxes need for this drive to the top.

In my opinion, Leicester City could hardly have gotten a better player for the low price of £10m they eventually paid their former Premier League rivals for ‘Winksy’s’ services. With the player so heavily involved, it seems this system of dynamic movement, emphasis on short and incessant passing, as well as occasional carries suits the Englishman perfectly.