Winks’ eye on learning from legend

HARRY WINKS will make only his 14th first-team appearance for Tottenham today but he’s already preparing for life as a club legend.

Just like his hero Ledley King, the young midfielder will be more than happy to stay at Spurs for the rest of his playing career.

Winks, 21 next month, will start in the FA Cup tie against Aston Villa this afternoon, having scored his first senior goal on his full league debut against West Ham in November.

“It was such a special moment,” said Winks (below), who raced to the touchline to celebrate with boss Mauricio Pochettino.

And the boy who joined Spurs when he was still in short trousers is determined to reward his boss’ faith by remaining a one-club man.

“I just want to play as many games as I can,” he said. “I have been here since I was five, so there was never any chance of me going to another club.”

The lifelong Spurs fan admits he has been in a dreamworld since being called into the senior squad.

“At first it was a bit strange, like ‘Wow, I am here.’ There I am training with Eriksen, Vertonghen, Dembele,” he said.

“As time goes on, and you get more games and train with them every day, it just gets a bit more natural but it’s important not to get arrogant about it and to stay level-headed. They don’t want someone coming in being a big-time Charlie.”

That was never going to happen, especially after bumping into King and Scott Parker. “Ledley King is my hero,” he says. “He is an absolute legend – a proper defender and one of the best England has produced for years. “And when Scott Parker was here he gave me a lot of advice. He has been there and done it.”

There will be plenty more to do at Spurs if Winks has his way. REAL MADRID boss Zinedine Zidane hailed his record-equalling side – then asked for more of the same.

They equalled Barcelona’s Spanish record of 39 games unbeaten with a 5-0 win over Granada.

And Zidane said: “It’s satisfying to match this record but the main thing is what we are doing out on the pitch. We know no limits and will do all we can to keep up this performance.”