The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was allegedly the subject of a summer bid from Ajax.
As reported by the Sun, a series of tweets from Charlton Athletic academy coach David Powderly claimed Ajax had made a move to sign Marcus Edwards from Tottenham Hotspur this summer for a very specific reason. However if it is true, the Dutch giants picked the wrong team to make a point about youth football.
It is claimed Ajax wanted to sign the 18-year-old, give him regular game time and then sell him for a huge fee in a bid to make it clear that English clubs already have huge talent at their disposal, without the need to raid foreign sides for their 15- to 18-year-olds.
The problem is, Tottenham do not need to be told that, because Mauricio Pochettino’s side are arguably the best in the Premier League at giving youth a chance.
Edwards was said to be intent on staying at Tottenham this season in a bid to prove he is ready for first-team action in North London, and given his contract situation and his huge reputation, Spurs were never going to cash in on the teenager only for Ajax to reap the benefits.
It is an interesting approach from last season’s Europa League finalists, but if it is true they would have been much better off targeting a club where young talent struggles for a sniff, with Manchester City one such example.
Jadon Sancho recently completed his move to Borussia Dortmund and in a few years he could be a superstar for club and country.
Ajax may have a point to prove, but Tottenham were never the right club to approach in a bid to do so as they are proving a point of their own.
If you are good enough, you are old enough, and in time Edwards should be the next player rewarded for Pochettino’s refreshing approach.
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