Izzy Christiansen lauded former Tottenham wonderkid, Marcus Edwards, for his cameo during Sporting Lisbon’s second-leg Champions League tie against Manchester City on Wednesday.
The England women’s footballer told BBC Sport that Edwards, who was likened to Lionel Messi during his days at Spurs, came off the bench and made ‘such a difference’ for his team in their goalless draw.
It has to be noted that Sporting had lost the first leg 5-0 in their own back yard, so this second leg encounter wasn’t exactly a nerve-racking game from the get-go.
Either way, from the perspective of Edwards, it was brilliant to see him earn his first minutes on his Champions League debut and showcase what he is all about.
Back on familiar ground in English soil, it would have provided the previously dubbed ‘Mini-Messi’ with extra motivation to showcase what he is all about, as Christiansen shared how he performed when he did come on from the bench at the Etihad last night.
“Marcus Edwards, the English boy on the right-hand side, has come on and made such a difference,” said Christiansen.
“He’s added another dimension to Sporting. He’s run in behind and kept the ball at the right times. Really positive impact from him off the bench.”
There was a lot made of Edwards when he was in north London, with Mauricio Pochettino being a big fan of the player.
But, despite being bigged up so much and such a limelight on him, he only made one appearance for the senior side.
At that time, Spurs were flying high, Harry Kane was ripping it up after breaking through.
Whilst players like Dele Alli were shining bright as a young fresh-faced teenager.
Oh, what Spurs would do to go back to those days because it’s when they were really motoring.
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