Football
MIDFIELD maestro Harry Winks believes Leicester’s unbreakable bond inspired them to a memorable Premier League return
Harry Winks, Leicester's midfield maestro, attributes the team's memorable Premier League return to their unbreakable bond and tight-knit squad. In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, Winks reflects on the club's fantastic season, manager Enzo Maresca's influence, and the joy of winning promotion.
Image Credits: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The fantastic Foxes secured promotion back to the top flight with two games to spare.
And they finished the season as deserved champions with 31 victories from their 46 league outings.
The club equalled a 104-year record for most second division wins and Winks, a £10m summer-signing from Tottenham Hotspur, told SportsBoom: “You could go through everybody, even the players who maybe haven’t played as many minutes. We’re a really tight knit group.
“Those players that haven’t played as much have been just as important to the team as the ones who have played a lot.
“In a long 40-odd game season I can’t stress how important it is to have good people and such a good squad – and we’ve got that in abundance.
“We’ve got top people in the club, that’s why we’ve had such a great season.
“I’ve enjoyed the team bond with everybody, all the lads get on.
“And the style of play the manager [Enzo Maresca] wants is just perfect for me. I love the way we play.”
Image Credits: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Winks’ arrival at the King Power Stadium on a three-year deal from Spurs last July raised eyebrows amongst some Foxes’ supporters, many left disillusioned after a miserable relegation from the top-flight
But boss Maresca recently revealed that “signing Harry was my priority” when he took over as manager and that “he was my main guy”.
Winks responded with a string of starring performances to repay the Italian’s unyielding faith in him.
The 28-year-old hardly missing a game, with 48 appearances during a season to savour as the Foxes earnt their place back at the top table.
“Personally it’s been my best season as a player, without doubt. I’ve loved every minute of it,” added Winks.
“I love the fans as well, they way they’ve taken to me and I’ve taken to them. It’s been a great year and a great bond. I hope that continue for next season.”
Winks and his teammates rightly celebrated in style after winning promotion – and even rocked up at Maresca’s house in the early hours to celebrate with the boss and the club’s coaching staff
Further evidence that the terrific Foxes have all been pulling in the same direction this season.
“To be honest, the last few days have been a bit of a party since we clinched promotion,” revealed Winks.
“There’s been a lack of sleep, partying and celebrating what we’ve achieved.
“And rightly so because we deserve too, it’s been an amazing season.
“But even though we were a little big sluggish, we played with freedom and played to our best [against Preston].
“We approached the game in the right way and we topped if off in the best way we could have done.
“It’s important these next couple of weeks we celebrate and enjoy it all together because these moments don’t come that often – and we know that.
“We’ve worked so hard to achieve this together, so it’s important that we celebrate.
“It’s been such a tough season, to come away as champions, is amazing. It’s such a tough league.
“Everybody wants to win a trophy in their career and I’d never managed to do that, so to do it this season – in the fashion that we have – it’s amazing.
“I’ve loved every minute of this season, it’s such a special club.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.