Marcus Edwards' highlights against Spurs are mindblowing, he showed them what they are missing

Marcus Edwards showed Spurs exactly what they are missing as he helped Sporting inflict a first defeat of the season for Antonio Conte's men.

Edwards came through the ranks at Spurs and signed a professional contract in 2016. However, he made just one appearance for the club and was loaned out to Norwich City and Excelsior.

But on the eve of his first-team debut, then-manager Mauricio Pochettino paid him a huge compliment when he compared him to a young Lionel Messi.

"The qualities – it’s only looks, his body and the way that he plays – remember a little bit from the beginning of Messi," Pochettino said.

And it was easy to see why Pochettino had made such a comment if you watch Edwards' performance against his former employers at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Edwards was named as Player of the Match on his first Champions League start in the 3-0 win over Frankfurt, where he scored and registered an assist

The 23-year-old continued in the same vein in the 2-0 win over Spurs, dropping a wondrous display whereby he destroyed defenders left, right and centre.

Edwards' dribbling was so good that Spurs resorted to just kicking him in attempt to stop him.

And even that didn't work as a determined Edwards shirked off the challenges and kept leaving opponents on the floor.

His absolute best passage of play came in the first half when he went on a ridiculous solo run that Messi would have been proud of.

Former Sporting player Eric Dier got sent back to Everton, while Ivan Perisic was also made to look a little silly and ended up on his backside.

Edwards played a one-two with former Barcelona forward Francisco Trincao and was denied by a smart save from Hugo Lloris.

Had it gone in we'd be talking about a Champions League goal of the season contender. Edwards did this all game and was absolutely mesmerising with the ball at his feet.

He left Spurs in 2019, making the move to Portugal with Vitoria de Guimarães and scoring against Arsenal in the Europa League.

Sporting came calling in January 2022 and the England youth product has really found himself in Lisbon.

In eight games in all competitions this term, the pint-sized left-footer has three goals and three assists.

And former England international Owen Hargreaves has called for Edwards to receive a Three Lions call up for the first time.

"How can he not when he's playing like that?" Hargreaves said to Ian Darke on BT Sport commentary when asked the question.

"There were loads of internationals and he was the best player on the pitch. That's what you want as a player, an opportunity. He can play in different positions. 

"He's playing as a false nine really well and can play as a number 10. He just takes the ball so well. I think there's always a space for a player like that in the team."

Featured Image Credit: Image: BT Sport

Topics: Sporting CP, Champions League, Tottenham Hotspur

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@joshlawless_