Tottenham’s DeAndre Yedlin Comments on His Future
DeAndre Yedlin’s future is up in the air after his season-long loan spell with Sunderland ended. But, he returns to Tottenham Hotspur as a much more improved player overall which should benefit Mauricio Pochettino and his squad next season.
According to the Sunderland Echo, Tottenham loanee, DeAndre Yedlin, has commented on his future and whether that involves a return to the Black Cats for next season or getting a shot at right-back in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. Or even switching positions and playing as a right midfielder/winger instead.
Related Story: Sunderland Looking to Sign Tottenham's DeAndre Yedlin
Nothing is set in stone yet, but initial reports/rumors that were floating around recently had both Sunderland and Tottenham ready to make a £2 million transfer before the summer window opened.
Because if you were to connect the dots, it “made sense” on paper.
Spurs’ starting right-back, Kyle Walker, improved greatly this past season and last summer Mauricio Pochettino and the rest of Tottenahm’s transfer committee signed Kieran Trippier from Burnley to be Walker’s backup.
It effectively made Yedlin surplus to requirements. But, in actuality, the Argentine manager didn’t want to rush the U.S. international who had never experienced the Premier League’s (and in general Europe’s) style of football.
Major League Soccer is on a different level — mostly sup-par or below that of their European brethren — thus it made sense to loan the American defender to gain said experience, than throw him into the fire and ruin his confidence.
A season-long loan with Sunderland turned out to be a good learning experience for the 22-year-old. Granted it got better when Sam Allardyce took over as the Black Cats’ manager after Dick Advocaat was sacked.
To make 23 total appearances in all competitions (20 in the Premier League), and appearing in the final 14 fixtures to close out the season shows that Yedlin not only became Allardyce’s preferred option at right-back over incumbent, Billy Jones, but has been improving ever since.
Because of his stay with Sunderland and how he improved throughout the year, Yedlin would not mind a return to the Stadium of Light.
“Nothing’s come up yet but, like I said before, I wouldn’t mind going back to Sunderland, whether it be on loan or whatever,” DeAndre Yedlin said.
“I think it’s a great club and I had a great experience there, so I’d be open to that.”
“But as of now nothing has come up, so right now I’m just focusing on Copa América and doing the best that we can in this tournament.”
More from Hotspur HQ
- Storybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s Richarlison
- Tottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivated
- Tottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United
- Tottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield United
- Tottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help
With DeAndre Yedlin’s pace, he’s a good fit as a defender in terms of tracking back well only. Properly defending is something that he has seen improvement in and he will continue working hard to get better defensively while learning all the little nuances of the right-back position.
Along with playing as a right-back, he could be deployed as a right midfielder/winger.
Yedlin’s crossing game has also improved since going to England and playing in the Premier League, but that added dimension of being an attacking player makes the 22-year-old a good full-back option to have on any team’s squad.
The only question is which club will the U.S. international represent.
After spending all year fighting for survival with Sunderland and escaping the drop, Yedlin returns to Tottenham as a better player overall and could see some time in the Champions League, should Mauricio Pochettino rotate his squad during one of their group stage fixtures.
That is, assuming Spurs’ record is looking good and will advance as one of the top two teams in their respective group.
Next: Tottenham to Extend Wembley Stay if Stadium is Delayed
In any event, there are no signs of all three parties agreeing on a potential transfer that will see Tottenham get less money than they had originally paid for (£2.75 million) when they bought DeAndre Yedlin from Seattle on January 2015.
This story will be something to keep an eye on because Yedlin’s age and position makes him a fit for Mauricio Pochettino’s team as Kyle Walker is still an injury away from being sidelined long term. Jan Vertonghen is one prime example.
That would mean Kieran Trippier would be the starter with DeAndre Yedlin as the backup, unless Pochettino feels confident in Kyle Walker-Peters over Yedlin, with higher expectations for next season.