Marcus Edwards impresses with goal and assist on loan with Excelsior | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Marcus Edwards has not had a straight-forward development trajectory.

The electric winger has long been identified as one of the more talented prospects in Spurs’ academy system but the now 20 year old has faced criticism for his attitude.

Edwards went out on a loan spell to Norwich City in the Championship last January but the player only made a single appearance for the Canaries.

In August 2018, the youngster agreed to a loan deal with Excelsior in the Eredivisie and has fared much better.

This current loan was considered by some his last chance to impress before before seeing his path to the senior team foreclosed.

Whether that was made explicitly clear, Edwards appears to be playing as though there is a fire lit under him.

10 months ago the attacker looked like he may never live up to potential he showed in the academy but Edwards put on a superb display for Excelsior on Sunday.

The Spurs loanee not only scored the equalising goal but then set up the go-ahead tally three minutes later.

Showcasing what excited scouts from his youth days, Edwards ran directly at Emmen defenders before unleashing a shot that beat the goalkeeper.

Then Edwards received a ball in the middle of the field and carried it forward before playing a through ball for Dennis Eckert to finish.

The player has improved significantly and the style of the Eredivisie suits Edwards well. After a successful stint with Excelsior this season, it will be interesting to see what Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham Hotspur decide to do with the youngster going forward.

At the age of 20, Edwards still has time to develop but questions remain over his maturity and whether the coaching staff see the player fitting in as a personality in addition to as a footballer.