Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent insists midfielder Harry Winks must leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to fulfil his true potential.
Winks has struggled for game-time and consistency in north London so far this season, being restricted to just 15 appearances in the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup this season.
Following the summer arrival of midfield enforcer Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton, as well as Tanguy Ndombele's impressive form, Winks has fallen down the pecking order, which has restricted him to just seven league appearances this term.
With this summer's European Championships now just six months away, Winks will be desperate to remain in the plans of England manager Gareth Southgate, meaning he may need to leave Spurs to secure regular game-time ahead of the summer.
Though the January transfer window is only a few days old, Winks is already being linked with an exit from the north London club, with Everton claimed to be among his potential suitors.
And for former Spurs ace Bent, Winks needs to explore his options and consider leaving the north London club.
“At the end of the day, Mourinho has got several options in the middle of the park," Bent told Football Insider.
“I like Harry. I think technically he’s a very, very good player and he’s got a lot to offer. But at the same time, we know how Mourinho likes to play.
"If you look at his older teams, for instance, they’re all big powerful guys and this team is being built using the same kind of DNA.
“At some stage, he will for his own benefit have to go and play football somewhere else. Just because I think he’s too good of a player to just sit there, collect his money and not play. I don’t think he’ll want that either.
“I expect him to move on, go somewhere and play some games, wherever that may be. I’ve heard he could join Everton, but I think it comes down to wherever he feels more comfortable.
“First and foremost, he’s got to be playing games.”
