Next Tottenham superstar: Why Pochettino must fast-track little genius
By Danny Wright
Tottenham have an abundance of talent emerging from their academy and one of their latest young superstars should be fast-tracked to the first team as soon as possible by Mauricio Pochettino.
Marcus Edwards returned to action for the Under-23s on Sunday after an ankle injury has kept the little genius sidelined since October, and he wasted no time in getting Pochettino’s attention.
Despite losing 3-2 to Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League 2 clash, Edwards scored a well-taken goal in the first half and notched 59 minutes of action.
Pochettino had previously compared Edwards to Lionel Messi before giving him his first-team debut against Gillingham in an EFL Cup tie back in September.
On that occasion the Argentinian manager said to the Guardian: “His qualities… it’s only looks – his body and the way that he plays – remember a little bit from the beginning of Messi.”
Edwards was with the first team as Spurs took on Middlesbrough on Saturday evening, but didn’t make the bench, despite fellow academy stars Josh Onomah and Cameron Carter-Vickers making the cut.
The young playmaker has a great reputation amongst the Tottenham faithful and has clear, raw talent which could help the first team as they look to push on towards finishing in the top four in the Premier League.
At only 18 years old, Edwards also has a lot of game time under his belt for both club and country. He made two goals in two games for Spurs in the UEFA Youth League, and has three goals and two assists in his seven Premier League 2 appearances this season.
Edwards has represented England at four youth levels, picking up 34 caps across the Under-16 to Under-19 teams and scoring 12 goals.
A midfield talent that has an eye for goal is always a great thing to come across. Edwards plays predominantly on the right-wing and loves to cut inside and use his favoured left-foot to get a strike on goal.
The Spurs first team can do with some added impetus as they struggled to beat Boro 1-0 on Saturday. Heung-Min Son and Erik Lamela are both struggling for form and Edwards’ goal on Sunday shows he has a great left-foot and a real presence in the box.
The youngster is a clear future star and it is only a matter of time before Premier League football becomes a regular thing for him.
However Spurs are in need of someone who can can come in right now and provide an ‘x factor’, which will leave opposing full-backs chasing shadows to help out Dele Alli and Harry Kane in front of the goal.
Pochettino should make that happen with Edwards as soon as possible.
In other Tottenham news, Harry Redknapp reveals who he thinks is the best signing in years.
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