- Postecoglou confident Tottenham fans will back his side
- Son calls for togetherness
- Spurs eye deals for Edwards and Porro
Tottenham will be looking to strengthen their squad this summer after a season that looks likely to end without Champions League qualification.
One player that has been widely linked with the North London club is Sporting CP winger Marcus Edwards. The 25-year-old was born in nearby Enfield and is a former Spurs youth player. Would he be a good fit for Ange Postecoglou’s squad?
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What’s Edwards’ back story?
Edwards certainly fits the profile of player Postecoglou would like to bring in. He joined the Spurs academy at eight years old and progressed through the age groups but never made a senior appearance for the club, despite being compared to Lionel Messi by former boss Mauricio Pochettino. Loan spells at Norwich City and Excelsior followed before he was sold to Vitoria in 2019.
Edwards impressed in Guimaraes, scoring 20 goals in 96 games, a record that earned him a move to Primeira Liga giants Sporting CP in January 2022.
He continued to shine and showed Spurs what they were missing with a goal against his former employers in a 1-1 Champions League draw.
What type of player is he?
As Pochettino alluded to, Edwards plays in a similar style to Argentine great Messi. Small, quick and with a low centre of gravity, he is predominantly left-footed and scores the bulk of his goals coming in off the wing.
He would add purpose and thrust to a Spurs attack that has looked a little lightweight following Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich.
Does he fit with Postecoglou’s summer plans?
Yes, he absolutely fits the bill. Kane’s switch to Germany has left Spurs short of attacking options. It has meant Son Heung-min has been pushed more centrally, particularly with Brazil international Richarlison struggling for form and fitness.
That has created a void on the left flank which Edwards could fill. On the other side, Dejan Kulusevski has looked a pale imitation of the player that looked so dangerous last season while summer signing Brennan Johnson has yet to live up to his £47.5million price tag.
It is also believed Spurs retain a 35 per cent sell on clause on the player, making a potential purchase much cheaper.
Would Edwards want to return home?
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Edwards is eager to try his hand back in the Premier League next season. Spurs may have to be quick if they do want to lure him back, however, with Crystal Palace also reported to be interested. Eagles boss Oliver Glasner is thought to be monitoring Edwards as a potential replacement for Michael Olise, who is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain.
The winger is contracted to Sporting until June 2026 and has a release clause of 60 million euros.
That figure is unlikely to put off Spurs, especially given the sell-on clause, so don’t be surprised to see Edwards back in a white shirt for the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
