Marcus Edwards: Sporting Lisbon winger 'leaves people for dead' says Owen Hargreaves
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Updated 26/10/2022 at 22:23 GMT
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has heaped praise on Sporting Lisbon’s Marcus Edwards. During his academy years at Tottenham, Edwards was given the nickname ‘mini Messi’, such was his talent. However, he failed to meet the expectations put on him, but this season he has been in great form at Sporting in Portugal.
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Owen Hargreaves says Marcus Edwards “leaves people for dead” with his pace as comparisons between the Sporting Lisbon attacker and Lionel Messi have revitalised.
Edwards came through the Tottenham's academy ranks and was nicknamed the ‘mini Messi’.
He left Spurs for Vitoria de Guimaraes in 2019 before joining Sporting at the start of this year where he has impressed.
The Englishman scored and provided an assist in Sporting’s first Champions League game of this season and opened the scoring against his former club on Wednesday night. He is also contributing to goals every two games, on average, in Primeira Liga.
“On the ball, dribbling at people, he’s up there,” Hargreaves said ahead of Sporting’s clash with Tottenham in the Champions League.
“He leaves people for dead. Technically he’s fantastic.
“The young man has so much ability with the ball at his feet, makes it look easy.
Edwards has been linked to a move away from Sporting in 2023, which would see Spurs earn £26 million.
The 23-year-old forward joined Sporting for £9 million in January and Spurs allowed to forgo their 50% sell-on fee in order to carry it over to his deal at Sporting, where he has a £52m release clause.
Champions League winner Pedro Mendes revealed he saw Edwards when he moved to Portugal.
“He’s a fantastic little player,” said Mendes.
“When he signed for Guimaraes in the first days we saw something there. Then he signed for Sporting and he just became a fantastic player. He’s been terrific.”
Edwards found the back of the net again in Sporting’s dramatic 1-1 draw against Spurs on Wednesday night.
He didn't have much to say following the game, but admits he was incredibly happy to score.
“It’s crazy for me [with] all my family and friends here supporting me," said Edwards. "Obviously I wasn’t going to celebrate but I was too happy.
“It took me a long time to get here so I wanted to stay humble.”
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