Norwich City loan flop Marcus Edwards says he was “misunderstood” during his ill-fated spell at Carrow Road.
Edwards - once compared to a young Lionel Messi by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino - moved to City in January, 2018, but made just one appearance of six minutes, as a substitute during a 2-0 loss to Fulham, before an early return to parent club Tottenham "for personal reasons".
Canaries head coach Daniel Farke alluded to attitude issues - but Edwards is keen to put his side of the story.
The 20-year-old, who has just returned from a season-long loan with Dutch side Excelsior, says he was troubled by a back injury during his time at City.
"I had a back injury when I went there," said Edwards in an interview with The Independent. "I was so eager to go, I just got through the clearance training [which is] to see if you're fit. But when I got there, and trained, I felt my back. I was in and out of training for two or three months. So that's the main reason."
Edwards' time-keeping was an issue with Farke and the youngster admits there came a time "towards the end of the loan", when he "started to get a bit frustrated".
However, Edwards still harbours a sense of injustice over the way he was portrayed.
"I think maybe it was a bit unfair," he said. "The whole situation that happened at Norwich, it already played on to what Pochettino said. Even though I was definitely a lot younger then, that's when I was growing up. It was a big misunderstanding.
"I feel as though, once Daniel Farke said it out loud, that is when I got misunderstood a bit. Because I felt I had already grown up. I thought I was already grown up, and all the attitude stuff, that was when I was going through the academy. When I hit 19, I felt I was a bit more mature. That's why I feel I was misunderstood."
Edwards' fortunes have changed for the better after Holland.
"I definitely think I've got a better attitude now," he said. "I'm just ready to kick on with my career. I think I needed this year. I know I'm a good player, I know I can do what I want to do. It has made me have a clear vision of what I want in football. I just want to get as high up to the top level as I can."
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