Harry Winks England

Winks: I'll gain more experience with England seniors than at the Under-21 Euros

Harry Winks says he would rather play for the England senior side than for the Under-21s at the European Championships next summer.

The Tottenham midfielder is in Gareth Southgate's squad to face the USA after impressing for his club this season.

He started the 3-2 win against Spain earlier this year for his second England appearance after making his debut against Lithuania in October 2017, and is seen as one of the key emerging players for the Three Lions.

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The importance of youngsters gaining tournament experience in youth competitions has been stressed in recent years, but 22-year-old Winks, who will be eligible to play at the Championships in June, says there is more value for young players to play in full internationals. 

“The most experience you’re ever going to get is playing with the senior side," the midfielder told the Evening Standard.

“When you’re playing away to Spain and teams like that, that is the kind of experience you need to play more of, to understand how to deal with it.

"You can argue for and against for both. Going away with the Under-21s is massive and winning the competition is something you’d like to be involved in. But, ultimately, the main goal is to play for the senior side.”

His club manager, Mauricio Pochettino, will have to give permission for Winks to go away on international duty and is unlikely to allow the midfielder to play for both the senior squad and the Under-21s ahead of the 2019-20 season.

The midfielder has featured in 10 of Spurs' 12 Premier League fixtures this season and is emerging as one of the key members of their squad. Even Moussa Sissoko paid tribute to him this week, saying Winks could go onto be the next Steven Gerrard.

But the midfielder is not concerned about a decision being made with any immediacy: “I haven’t spoken to him [Pochettino] about it yet. I expect that will happen towards the end of the season.

“After being involved in the Spain win, I just want more of it.”

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