Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks has named Mousa Dembélé as the best player he has ever played alongside, ahead of Harry Kane.

The 30-year-old also backed the England captain to win the Ballon d’Or, but admitted that Dembélé had the biggest influence on his own development.

Winks spent the majority of his career at Tottenham, coming through the club’s academy before establishing himself in the first team under Mauricio Pochettino. He played alongside some of Spurs’ biggest stars during that period, including Kane, Son Heung-min, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Dembélé.

The midfielder eventually left north London in 2023 after a loan spell at Sampdoria, joining Leicester City on a permanent deal. He has since returned to Italy with Cagliari, where he is enjoying another spell in Serie A.

Harry Winks picks Mousa Dembélé over Harry Kane

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Winks was asked whether Kane deserved to win the Ballon d’Or and if the England international was the best player he had shared a dressing room with. While he had plenty of praise for his former teammate, his answer to the second question was perhaps more surprising.

Winks said: “Kane deserves it. He is an incredible champion with an incredible mentality. He has worked hard. But the best I have played with is Moussa Dembélé, the Belgian. I have learned so much from him for my growth.”

Dembélé was hugely popular among Tottenham supporters during his seven years at the club, with his strength on the ball and ability to escape pressure making him one of the Premier League’s most distinctive midfielders.

The Belgian joined Spurs from Fulham in 2012 and went on to make 249 Premier League appearances for the club. He became particularly important under Pochettino, playing a key role as Tottenham challenged for the league title and established themselves as regular Champions League participants.

Winks had the opportunity to learn from Dembélé as he was breaking into the first team, with both players competing for places in central midfield. The former England international clearly still values what he learned from his experienced teammate.

Harry Winks reveals how Antonio Conte changed his career

Winks also spoke about the influence of Antonio Conte during his time at Tottenham. Despite eventually leaving the club, the midfielder admitted that working with the Italian had changed the way he understood football.

He said: “I have had many coaches in my career, but he was the first real coach who gave me a different understanding of football, tactically. I got along very well with him.”

Conte took charge of Tottenham in November 2021 and guided the club to a top-four finish in his first season, beating Arsenal to Champions League qualification. However, his time in north London ended in March 2023 following a controversial press conference after the 3-3 draw against Southampton.

Winks struggled for regular opportunities during Conte’s time in charge, making 19 Premier League appearances in the 2021/22 season. He subsequently joined Sampdoria on loan, with the Italian manager and Fabio Paratici both having spoken positively to him about the club before his move.

His spell in Italy was followed by a permanent transfer to Leicester, where he helped the Foxes win the Championship title in 2023/24. Winks then returned to Serie A in July 2026, signing a two-year contract with Cagliari.

Harry Winks says Tottenham was his life

Winks also reflected on what it meant to spend so much of his life at Tottenham. Having joined the club as a youngster, he worked his way through the academy and eventually played in the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool.

Discussing his connection to Spurs, the midfielder recalled how his father would take him to football training after work when he was a child. He admitted that Tottenham had been a huge part of his life, although his focus is now firmly on Cagliari.

Winks also reflected on the Champions League final, admitting that the defeat to Liverpool was disappointing but the experience of reaching that stage with Tottenham was unforgettable. He particularly enjoyed the journey to the final and the opportunity to play alongside so many talented footballers.

Those memories clearly remain important to Winks, even as he continues his career away from north London. And while Kane is widely regarded as one of Tottenham’s greatest ever players, it is Dembélé who left the biggest impression on him as a fellow midfielder.