{"id":287190,"date":"2023-08-30T11:05:43","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T11:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=287190"},"modified":"2023-08-30T11:05:43","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T11:05:43","slug":"chelsea-consider-transfer-for-ex-tottenham-star-who-pochettino-compared-to-messi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/soccer\/chelsea-consider-transfer-for-ex-tottenham-star-who-pochettino-compared-to-messi\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea consider transfer for ex-Tottenham star who Pochettino compared to Messi"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing former Tottenham youngster Marcus Edwards, whom manager Mauricio Pochettino once compared to Lionel Messi.<\/p>\n

    With the transfer window nearing its end, the Blues are considering a move for the 24-year-old Sporting Lisbon star to bolster their attacking options. Pochettino, who coached Edwards during his time at Tottenham, has expressed his desire to strengthen Chelsea's forward line before Friday's transfer deadline.<\/p>\n

    The Blues are currently dealing with injuries to nine players, including strikers and attacking wide players. As a result, several players have been linked with potential moves to Stamford Bridge, including Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal and Barcelona duo Raphinha and Ferran Torres.<\/p>\n

    Now, Edwards has emerged as a potential target, reports the Express. Having come through the Spurs academy, Edwards made his senior debut under Pochettino in September 2016 at the age of 17. <\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Brighton lauded for 'scamming' Chelsea as Blues look to offload \u00a362m flop to Man Utd <\/b><\/p>\n

    Pochettino even compared Edwards to Messi, saying: "The qualities \u2013 it\u2019s only looks, his body and the way that he plays \u2013 remember a little bit from the beginning of Messi. He is a very good prospect and potentially he can be a top player, but we need to be patient and tell him that he has a lot of talent, enough talent to be a top player, a great player.<\/p>\n

    "But now it\u2019s how he builds his future, that\u2019s very important. And it\u2019s our responsibility to tell him."<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    However, Edwards failed to make another appearance for Tottenham and had two loan spells before leaving permanently in 2019. The former England youth international has subsequently rebuilt his career in Portugal.<\/p>\n

    He spent two-and-a-half years at Vitoria Guimaraes, where he scored 20 goals and provided 14 assists in 96 appearances. In January 2022, Edwards joined Sporting Lisbon and has since contributed 15 goals and 16 assists in 68 outings.<\/p>\n

    Edwards still has three years remaining on his contract, which includes a \u00a352 million release clause. Pochettino confirmed that Chelsea are actively working on potential additions before the transfer deadline.<\/p>\n

    He said: "I know the club is working very hard to try to finish our business. Something may happen, maybe yes. At the moment, we are only working and trying for the club to deliver what we want."<\/p>\n

    This article was crafted with the help of AI tools, which speed up<\/i> Dailystar.co.uk<\/u> <\/i>' s editorial research. A content editor reviewed this content before it was published.<\/i>You can report any errors to<\/i> readercomplaints@reachplc.com <\/i><\/p>\n