Marcus Edwards opens up on leaving Tottenham Hotspur

Marcus Edwards has opened up on his departure from Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

The former academy product completed a move to Portuguese side Vitória prior to the European transfer window closing in a deal which included a 50 per cent sell on clause for Spurs (The Times).

He left north London having made just one senior appearance for the club – against Gillingham in the EFL Cup in September 2016. After the match, Edwards was dubbed ‘mini-Messi’ by Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino (The Sun).

In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Record, the 20-year-old admitted that leaving London for Portugal was a difficult move outside of his comfort zone.

He revealed he discussed Vitoria’s offer with his friend and former Arsenal player Chris Willock who made the move to Benfica.

Edwards returned to North London earlier this season and found the back of the net against Arsenal in a 3-2 UEFA Europa League defeat at the Emirates towards the end of October.

Asked about how he swapped Spurs for Vitoria, he told Record: “It is not easy to explain and it was never something that I had possibly imagined possible in the past. But the truth is that after the possibility came up it wasn’t necessary to think too much.

“I needed a project where I could develop my football, settle down and move forward in my career.

“Things were not always easy and I think I needed a challenge like that. It was also very important to feel that Vitória really wanted me. I felt very desired, and after talking to my family, the decision was easy. And for now, I couldn’t be happier for the option I took.”

“Portuguese football is not very well followed in England and the little I knew was due to my friend Willock, who was playing in Benfica,” he added.

“When the possibility of Vitória came up, I also talked to him, who told me it was a big club here in Portugal. He knows me very well and he was not wrong.”

“It took some courage, it’s always a difficult step to take, to leave home. I left my family, my friends and my comfort zone,” Edwards continued.

“I came to a very different reality from the one I was inhabiting, but it was a step that I wanted to take. This was the ideal opportunity to do so. It may have been a difficult step, but it was necessary for me and for my career.”

Opinion

Edwards’ talent is clear to see but his days were numbered under Mauricio Pochettino, unfortunately, Mourinho’s appointment came too late to see the midfielder handed a fresh opportunity at the club.