Tottenham Loanee, Yedlin, Talks About Move to England

Tottenham Hotspur’s, DeAndre Yedlin, who is busy on international duty with the U.S. Men’s National Team for the Copa América Centenario has spoken about his decision to move to England.

Through a featured article written by Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy, there is a lot to read regarding DeAndre Yedlin’s thoughts on his move to England and how the young American right-back is still trying to adjust to the play of the Premier League.

Not much has been covered about DeAndre Yedlin as a player ever since he made the switch to join Tottenham from Seattle Sounders, on January 2015 after the conclusion of the 2014 Major League Soccer season.

And a big part of that was simply due to the fact that he made only one appearance for Spurs off of the bench in a loss to Aston Villa late in the second half, during the 2014-15 Premier League season. For a measly 11 minutes.

Since then, Yedlin went from Kyle Walker’s backup to Mauricio Pochettino’s third choice right-back behind Kieran Trippier who joined last summer. The signing of Trippier would make Yedlin surplus to requirements and open up a move to send the American defender on a season-long loan spell to Sunderland.

Twenty-five appearances later in all competitions (23 in the Premier League) and making it into Sam Allardyce’s starting XI, after a slow start under former manager Dick Advocaat, the 22-year-old defender has seen an improvement in his game.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – APRIL 02: DeAndre Yedlin of Sunderland looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion at Stadium of Light on April 2, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Adam Fradgley – AMA/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images) /

He’s still a work in progress, but Yedlin acknowledges that and is working hard to become better as a player and as a person. Which is why he decided to move to England rather than remain in America.

"“When I made the decision to go to England, a lot of people questioned it,” Yedlin said (via Sporting News).“The first six months that I was there, even I was questioning it. But I think that I learned a lot more by myself in those six months than I have my whole life.”“Ultimately, that’s what let me improve the way I have.”"

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For someone as young as DeAndre Yedlin was during the 2014 World Cup — he was 20-years-old — and ended up becomeing one of the United States’ most promising talents after America were knocked out, many people wanted to see Yedlin go to a more proven league in Europe to test himself.

And when he did but wasn’t getting many opportunities, it seemed like staying in Major League Soccer would have been the better option even if the level of play is at a lower level.

That didn’t face the 22-year-old though even if playing time was very limited, or rather not available with Spurs upon his arrival, before his move to the Black Cats. But the U.S. international assures that his move wasn’t made because MLS wasn’t challenging.

"“I’m not saying MLS wasn’t challenging for me,” Yedlin continued.“I’m saying that in Seattle, I was comfortable where I was.”“I was around my friends. I was around my family. If I needed anything, I could always go to my mom’s house. So off the field, I really had to grow as a person.”"

Being forced to fend for yourself and not staying in your comfort zone should technically, always, make you a much better person overall. It challenges you. In fact it should challenge you. And that’s something that DeAndre Yedlin was able to do once he was sent on loan to Sunderland last season.

Moving to England and playing in one of the more competitive football leagues in the world has greatly benefited him and the USMNT as well.

Next: Batshuayi Wants Massive Wages to Seal Tottenham Move

"“Especially in England, mentally if you’re not right you’re going to get exposed,” Yedlin added.“In that league, little mistakes can expose you. I’ve really had to try to cut down those mistakes, especially positionally. One-v-one I feel more comfortable. But I knew that was going to come.”“That’s the kind of thing that comes with experience.”“I think I just tried to challenge myself. When you challenge yourself, you learn a lot about yourself and ultimately you’re going to get better in whatever field.”"

After the conclusion of the Euros, Tottenham will be preparing for their pre-season tour in Australia and hopefully DeAndre Yedlin is a part of Mauricio Pochettino’s group to show how far he’s come since first joining the team a year-and-a-half ago.

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