The Tottenham Hotspur youngster cannot get a look-in but his experienced teammate is hardly pulling up trees right now.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has made it clear that he feels Marcus Edwards is not yet ready for the first-team, yet one wonders how the 19-year-old feels watching Dele Alli start match after match despite being woefully out of form.
That is not to say Tottenham should throw Edwards in from the start ahead of the vastly more experienced Alli, especially in games such as the recent clash against Manchester City. But there is a case for Pochettino to give Edwards a place in the match day squad, adding another creative option to a team that is overly reliant on Alli and Christian Eriksen in that regard.
Alli has proved he can cut it in the Premier League and in Europe following his £5million move from MK Dons (BBC), but he did that by getting chances on the field and Edwards deserves the same.
A few minutes here or there may not be much to many players, but for Edwards it could open the door for him to justify the hype that has followed him around for years.
Whether or not he is the heir apparent to Lionel Messi, Edwards has shown the right attitude for Tottenham’s under-23s and under-19s this season, excelling in his role as captain for the latter’s UEFA Youth League campaign and scoring eight goals and providing five assists at all levels since the summer.
He has not sulked, he has got his head down and done what is asked of him, while Alli has faltered to such an extent that some Tottenham fans believe he needs a spell out of the side.
Edwards could benefit, if only Pochettino was consistent. He needs to give Edwards a chance the way he has with so many young players before him. And he needs to reward the right attitude; something Alli is, for now at least, not showing.
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