Harry Winks scores Chelsea over Leicester City’s Premier League credentials

Harry Winks believes there is already evidence Leicester City have what it takes to survive in the Premier League.

After the holidays come the holidays, but in a few weeks, Enzo Maresca and the club will start preparing for the transfer window. Shortly after, fixtures will be released and the team will return to pre-season training.

Thoughts then turn to how City can stay in the Premier League. Maresca has already stressed that survival is the goal, with the club unable to think beyond that. That’s not just because of the points deduction they can start with, but also because of the jump in quality between the divisions.

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This season, the three promoted clubs are on course for direct return. If not for Nottingham Forest’s points deduction, Luton and Burnley would be mathematically relegated by now, along with Sheffield United.

But Winks is confident. Not only do they have an abundance of top-flight experience in the squad, but the FA Cup run, which has seen them face two Premier League sides, gives the midfielder confidence that City also have the quality to hold their own.

“We played Bournemouth and won and drew with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for a big time,” said Winks. “So with the manager – we have such an incredible manager – I think next year we’ll be fine.

“When you play in the Premier League, it’s a level apart. It’s a completely different physics of football. You need to understand how the game works and be smart and clever in games.

“And we have enough in the team. We have so many Premier League quality players with Premier League experience. So I like to think that hopefully next year we’ll be fine.

“It is the symbol of football. It’s where everyone wants to be. And I can’t wait to get back there. And especially with Leicester, because it’s a club that deserves to be in the Premier League.”

Winks himself already has six seasons of Premier League football with Tottenham and could have played there again this year if he had waited longer until the summer to see the offers that might come his way. But City and Maresca’s desire to sign him convinced him to drop down a division, and it made for the best campaign of his career.

No City player has featured more often in the Championship this season, with Winks missing just one of his 46 appearances, while both goals were winners away at QPR and West Brom. In addition, he ends the season with the first trophy of his career.

He said: “It’s been an incredible season. I liked my football. I enjoyed playing, in my opinion, for a Premier League club that needed to come back. And I fought every day to achieve something special with a great group of guys at a great club. And that makes it a little more special.

“The Championship is such an incredible league, it doesn’t get the respect it deserves. You can see Leeds and Southampton in the play-offs, two teams who would have liked to go up after being relegated last year. So it shows how tough the league is. Anyone could beat anyone.

“I didn’t see it as a risk (relegation) but as a stepping stone where I just wanted to enjoy my football and play for a great club and a great manager. And this year was probably the best season of my career.

“It’s what every player wants in his life, to win a trophy and win a medal. To be here as champions is something I’m very happy to have achieved in my career.”

How would you rate Winks’ first season at the club? Let us know in the comments section below.