OPINION
When Marcus Edwards was loaned out for the first time in his career to Norwich City in January, many Tottenham Hotspur fans hoped that the 19-year-old would really push on and begin to show the talent he has promised for so long.
It has however not quite turned out that way, with the mercurial young forward having failed to make an appearance for the Canaries two months into the loan deal.
And, Norwich manager Daniel Farke has helped to shed some light on the situation with his latest comments on Edwards’ progress at Carrow Road.
As quoted by football.london, Farke said: “Marcus improves a lot but he is still not there, in terms of his attitude without the ball. After letting in four goals at Hull it wouldn’t be the best sign to bring him immediately to the pitch.
“I was not happy with us defensively (at Hull) and we have to show a reaction in this game. It is not the right time to bring in a player who needs to grow up with his attitude without the ball.”
Now, these comments will not come as much of a surprise to Spurs fans.
Edwards has long been touted as the club’s, and England’s, next big talent, but that hype has inevitably brought with it a confidence verging on cockiness for the youngster.
There is no doubting his football ability, but this poor attitude has been around for a while now, and unfortunately, time is running out for Edwards to rid himself of it.
A loan deal to a Championship club such as Norwich is a big opportunity, and Edwards has so far shown that he is unable to take such an opportunity seriously.
If he cannot sort out his attitude enough to play for Norwich, how is he expected to do so for Spurs? Especially under a manager like Pochettino who demands selflessness and hard-work from every one of his players.
There is no doubt that Edwards still has time on his side. The midfielder is still just 19 years old.
But 19 will soon turn to 20, and before he knows it, Edwards’ opportunity at the top of the game will be gone, his talent wasted on nothing.
It is clear for all to see that this is a young man with exceptional talent. The way that Edwards majestically dribbles through crowds and pings the ball off his left foot does, as Pochettino once infamously admitted, remind you of Lionel Messi.
But what is talent without hard work? Nothing.
Edwards needs to realise this before it’s too late, and his career collapses before it even begins.