‘Tremendous’ – Brad Friedel on his experience coaching Marcus Edwards 

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has waxed lyrical about Marcus Edwards, revealing that the winger always stood out in training when he began his coaching journey at the North London club. 

Edwards has gone from strength to strength since making the move from Vitoria Guimaraes to Sporting Lisbon in January, and he carried on his impressive start to the season in the Champions League clash on Tuesday.

The winger certainly proved a point to his former employers, with the Tottenham backline struggling to cope with the Spurs academy graduate’s skill and balance on the ball.

Hugo Lloris said after the 2-0 loss that Edwards’ ability was apparent when he trained with the Tottenham first-team as a teenager but admitted that he had matured since leaving the club back in 2019 (Football.London).

Although Friedel did not train alongside the Sporting star, he did coach the youngster when he was doing his badges. The American spoke in glowing terms of the skill the 23-year-old possessed and admitted that he would often do special things in training.

The former Tottenham goalkeeper told the Football Show on Sky Sports about Edwards: “I was starting my coaching badges and he was in a few of my sessions.

“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.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I was, and still remain, a huge fan of Pocehttino but he did make some blunders during his time at the club. 

For example, he failed to give opportunities to Kyle Walker-Peters even when he was banging the door down, and played Trippier through injury during the 2018/19 season before selling the right-back.

Pochettino’s final transfer window at the club, where we paid big money for both Ndombele and Lo Celso, also turned out to be a massive blunder.

It is now clear that he also erred by giving opportunities to the likes of Josh Onomah over Edwards, which probably led to the winger deciding to leave the club.

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