Marcus Edwards returns to north London on Wednesday evening just over three years on from his Tottenham Hotspur exit. Catching the eye in Portugal for Vitoria de Guimaraes before Sporting CP made their move for him at the start of 2022, Edwards will be part of the side that travels to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the Champions League Group D clash.
Playing a key role for Sporting in the first meeting between the teams back in September, the 23-year-old was denied a sublime goal by Hugo Lloris after going on an incredible run that saw him breeze past a handful of Tottenham opponents. Spurs' decision to let him go may have been questioned considering his form in Portugal, but Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim has pointed to Joao Felix swapping Porto for Benfica as an example of a talented youngster having to move on elsewhere to succeed.
"No, because this happens with several players," Amorim told football.london when asked if he was surprised that Tottenham let the attacker go. "Coaches and Sporting don't have to get everything right all the time. Some players are not at that level and that doesn't just mean the talent. That happens with talented players and big players.
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"It happened with Marcus Edwards in our team and what they have to do is go out of their comfort zone into a different country, face a different reality and now he is coming back. I am not surprised this is happening. It happened with Joao Felix when he left Porto to go Benfica.
"Coaches evaluate the moment and thought with Marcus he had a lot of talent but he still needed to improve to get to a top club. He is now at a top club but needs to be a bit more regular with his play but I haven't seen anything about him being released."
A good chance for the Enfield-born ace to show everyone in England his talent on Wednesday evening, Amorim has heaped praise on his attacker. However, he has outlined a few things he needs to improve on.
"Marcus is a player with a lot of talent and everyone in England was saying the same. The ex-coach [Mauricio Pochettino] said he had something a bit like [Lionel] Messi," added the head coach.
"He went to Portugal to develop and to play for one of the big teams in Portugal. He is playing in Champions League, he is maturing, something that comes with age, but I think he can improve a lot. He has got the talent but can still improve when it comes to his training, to his schedules and to keep up that high level daily, not only in matches but in his daily life when it comes to being a football professional, but he is happy kid.
"He is happy at the club and has a special relationship with [Issahaku] Fatawu and for example that helps players develop daily. He still has a lot to give and a lot to improve but I see a very happy future for Marcus Edwards."
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon in Tottenham's pre-match press conference at Hotspur Way, Ben Davies was asked by football.london about what it's like to face the young attacker and how far the Sporting man can go in his career.
"Marcus is a very good player. He’s very direct, he keeps control of the ball very well and he’s quick when he gets you in those situations. It’s going to be a tough game playing against him," outlined the Welshman.
"He’s got a bright future ahead of him. He’s shown he’s willing to go to somewhere where not a lot of young British have gone and worked hard. He’s reaping the rewards for it now."
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