DeAndre Yedlin insists that he is a better defender after a year at Sunderland – but Newcastle United may not agree.
When Sam Allardyce set about steadying the rocking Sunderland ship after taking over in the first half of last season, DeAndre Yedlin looked likely to be one of the first major casualties.
After all, the American right-back, a loan signing from Tottenham Hotspur, was hardly the kind of dogged, resilient defender that the pragmatic Allardyce uses to build his back four upon.
Yet, while Yedlin may have been singled out for a lack of defensive awareness at times, the fleet-footed youngster believes that the former Black Cats boss at least ironed out some of the visible kinks in his game at the Stadium of Light.
“The gaffer has really helped me,” Yedlin told the Sunderland Echo last year. “He’s just made me more aware positionally.
“Positional awareness comes with experience, so getting game time helps, but we also work a lot in training as a back line and also on defensive shape.”
However, whether that is enough to convince Newcastle United Rafael Benitez remains to be seen. Yedlin, who swapped Wearside for Tyneside in the summer, joining from Spurs on a permanent deal, has impressed with his rapid bursts on the right flank in recent months.
Yet, the 23-year-old is yet to fully convince in the other side of his game. Many Newcastle fans are worried that their side is not ready for a top flight return and Yedlin, who is still prone to a lapse in concentration, has much to do to convince that he is capable of playing in a Premier League back four.
Therefore, this perhaps explains why Newcastle United are preparing to challenge West Ham for Kevin Malcuit, France Football reports. The 25-year-old St Etienne right-back is renowned not only for his attacking intent but also his dependability and impressive positioning.
The uncapped Frenchman purports to offer more balance and sturdiness to Newcastle’s back four which could leave Yedlin in the limbo on Tyneside, regardless of his improvements over on the Wear.
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