Brad Friedel has shared that Marcus Edwards has ‘more skill in his left foot than most players will possess’ after coaching him at Tottenham Hotspur.
The former goalkeeper shared that he ‘started’ his coaching career at Spurs, after retirement, and a then-fresh-faced teenager in Edwards was making his rise at Hotspur Way, as he told the Football Show on Sky Sports.
Friedel shared how the winger was part of some of his sessions and he ‘always wanted’ the player to be part of his group because he ‘makes you look good as a coach’.
At the time, Edwards was being heralded as the next big thing and one of the brightest sparks to come out of north London.
Even Mauricio Pochettino decided to compare him to a certain Lionel Messi, so the spotlight was well on truly on him.
But, for one reason or another, it just didn’t work out for the 23-year-old, who is now making a name for himself in Portugal.
Edwards wowed his former supporters when he put on a stunning display for Sporting Lisbon as they beat Tottenham 2-0 on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
And Friedel shared an insight into the player and how he is glad that he has found a new home.
“I was starting my coaching badges and he was in a few of my sessions,” said Friedel. “I was learning, at the time, and I always wanted him in the sessions because he could always do something and make you look good as a coach.
“He’s a really good talent. Tremendous young player. I know he got into the first team, I had left by then. I am not really sure what fully went on.
“But if you are talking about talent, then that kid has some talent. I know he has bounced around a few places, and maybe at Sporting, this is going to be his game. He has more skill on his left foot than most players will ever be able to possess.
“It was really good to see him on the teamsheet and in the first half he caused Tottenham problems.”
EDWARDS DAZZLES ON THE BIG STAGE
This was Edwards’ big moment to showcase what Spurs are missing out on and to prove that he has come a long way since leaving in 2020.
Well, there is an air of maturity to his game, he is taking charge of matters and making his team talk on the ball.
Even during one moment of the game, where he dazzled past several Tottenham players, including flattening Eric Dier, he nearly scored one of the great goals of recent times.
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