Everyone Thinks It Was a Good Idea for Yedlin to Join Newcastle

Last Summer many Newcastle fans rejoiced when it was announced that we had signed DeAndre Yedlin, the pacey young American Right Back who had spent the past year on loan at Sunderland. Fast forward a year later, and Yedlin is coming off an amazing Championship campaign, one so brilliant that the Premier League website commented on it.

The official website of the Premier League had this to say about Yedlin and his potential impact next season;

“FPL managers must also monitor the raids of right-back DeAndre Yedlin. In only 27 appearances he supplied a goal and five assists – only Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker, with six, managed more assists in the Premier League.

An average of 61 minutes per key pass and 39.2 minutes per tackle were better than any promoted defender.”

Now, Yedlin is a crucial member of the United States team that is trying to qualify for the World Cup. After an underwhelming team performance against Venezuela resulting in a 1-1 draw, Yedlin and the U.S. look to pick up some wins against Trinidad & Tobago (Tonight) and Mexico (Monday June 12). Despite the rest of the team looking rough, Yedlin was among one of the bright spots for the team, alongside the young sensation Christian Pulisic who scored the lone goal for the U.S.

Newcastle fans will be happy to know, however, that Yedlin has requested to be left out of the CONCACAF Gold cup roster, so that he could attend training with Newcastle, which starts in early July. Bruce Arena, coach of the U.S. National team, cosigned on this opportunity, letting Yedlin stay with Newcastle for the remainder of the summer as they prepare to return to Premier League glory.

Photo by George Frey/Getty Images

Arena was also very impressed with the young Newcastle player this past weekend, as it was the first time Yedlin had played for Arena’s team. Arena has been very vocal about DeAndre since then, saying his time at Newcastle “has been good for him”.

Arena has also criticized Yedlin for his decision making, but says that if Yedlin can get as good with his decision making on the pitch as he is with his pace he could be a huge threat to opponents.

Bruce went on to complete his statement according to The Washington Post saying;

“He is an improved player. He's still a young player, He's got a way to go. Obviously, athletically, he's very good. He's got a great work rate, good speed. Now he has to learn to be a player who doesn't count on the fact he's fast. He's got to be a little bit better mentally on the field. I think he's improved. His year at Newcastle has been good for him.”

Yedlin also had some comments about his time at Newcastle, he told “The Post”

“At first,” he admitted this week, “I didn’t like the idea of going down a league.”

“I know a lot of people would question what I did, the risk I took, but I felt it was the necessary step in my career,” he said.

“It paid off.”

DeAndre went on to explain the passion of the fans in the Northeast

“The passion,” Yedlin said, “is like no other place in the country.”

It [abuse from Sunderland fans] was mostly on social media, I’d see Sunderland fans in the streets; they haven’t been bad to me. There will be the occasional fan asking why I would go to Newcastle. I don’t expect them to understand. It’s my career and I had to make a choice.”

It seems obvious that both sides are extremely happy with the move. Yedlin made major leaps as a player was a key member in Rafa’s squad making 27 appearances, while bagging his first goal in 3 years this season.

Lastly, another US International who spent time in the championship, Tim Ream of Fulham, had this to say about Yedlin’s future and his game.

“His game definitely suits the Premier League more than the Championship. The Championship is much more physical and up and down, and DeAndre has that up and down in his legs. He made the adjustment quick and settled in really well.”

Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Hopefully Ream is right and we see another great campaign from the young American. From the start, Yedlin seemed to be a young piece Rafa wanted to build around, and that is looking more and more true each day.

You can watch Yedlin Thursday night at 8PM eastern, as the U.S. takes on Trinidad and Tobago. The game will be broadcasted starting at 8PM EST in America on Fox Sports 1 and UniMás.