Harry Winks withdraws from England squad, replaced by Villa’s Jack Grealish

The upcoming international break hasn’t been especially great news for Tottenham Hotspur players. Last week we discovered that Tanguy Ndombele wasn’t selected for the France squad as he tested positive for COVID-19. While Harry Kane, Harry Winks, and Eric Dier were all selected for Gareth Southgate’s England squad, Dele wasn’t picked at all.

Now, there’s one fewer Hotspur on the Three Lions as well. Multiple outlets are reporting that Harry Winks (along with Marcus Rashford) has withdrawn from the England side set to play two Nations League matches in the coming ten days. Winks is being replaced by Aston Villa attacking midfielder and former Tottenham transfer target Jack Grealish, his first England call-up.

Winks was also completely absent from the two Tottenham friendlies this past weekend against Reading and Birmingham City. Notably, the club has not provided any reason, injury or otherwise, for Winks’ absence. While there has been rampant speculation on social media and elsewhere about Spurs players being quarantined for COVID-19 related reasons, we should be VERY CLEAR in saying that there is zero evidence at this time that Winks’ absence has anything to do with the virus, nor should we probably expect official communication in that regard except in the broadest of contexts out of privacy concerns.

Regardless of the reason for Winks’ withdrawal, I’m perfectly okay with Tottenham players missing out on these two Nations League matches because I find it pretty ridiculous that the Nations League should continue in these current circumstances anyway. But whatever. Hopefully whatever’s wrong with Winks resolves itself quickly and he can be back in time for the start of the Premier League season.