Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim is tipping Marcus Edwards for an England call-up after his mesmerising performance during Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to the club’s official website.
Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son and Richarlison all started at the Estadio da Luz, with Dejan Kulusevski coming off the bench in the second half.
But the most influential forward on the pitch was strutting his stuff in green-and-white; Enfield-born Edwards seizing the opportunity to show his old employers what they are missing in a performance brimming with endeavour and electricity.
Starting in an unfamiliar false nine role, the one-time Norwich City loanee gave Antonio Conte’s backline no end of problems with his intelligent movement and gorgeous close control, while channelling his inner-Messi with a one spellbinding run that brought to mind those oft-cited Mauricio Pochettino comments about a forward finally living up to early expectations at the age of 23.
Could former Tottenham starlet Marcus Edwards earn an England call-up?
“He’s very strong between the lines. Very confident,” says Amorim, his Sporting side scoring two late goals to secure a famous win in the Portuguese capital.
“The talent is there and he can be a national team player.”
Edwards has played nearly 50 games for England at youth-team level. A first-ever senior call-up seems unlikely with the World Cup just a couple of months away. Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate will, however, be keeping a close eye on his development on the Atlantic coast.
“How can he not when he’s playing like that?,” BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves said when quizzed about the prospect of Edwards forcing his way into the England set-up.
“There were loads of internationals and he was the best player on the pitch. He can play in different positions. He’s playing as a false nine really well, and can play as a number 10. He just takes the ball so well.
“I think there’s always a space for a player like that in the team.”
Edwards scored 11 goals and set up seven more during an excellent 2021/22 campaign.
