Newcastle United welcomed USA international DeAndre Yedlin back with open arms in Saturday’s win over Stoke City.
Newcastle United’s decision to sign Javier Manquillo from Atletico Madrid this summer hardly eased the frustration of supporters who felt the club had not reinforced adequately ahead of their return to the Premier League.
The versatile full-back had his loan spell at Liverpool in 2014/15 cut short midway through the season while he didn’t exactly impress during a temporary stay at Newcastle’s North East rivals Sunderland last season.
Yet, Manquillo has proven himself to be rather solid in the first few weeks of the campaign. He is never going to burst past an opposition defender and spin a picturebook cross onto Joselu’s forehead but he is mature, sensible and a decent addition for a side set up to be organised and disciplined at the back.
Counter-attacking king
However, with USA international DeAndre Yedlin making his long-awaited first game of the 2017/18 season in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Stoke City, you wonder whether Manquillo has made his last outing as Newcastle’s first-choice right-back for some time.
The former Spurs flyer, who also spent a season on loan at Sunderland in 2015/16, forced his way into Rafael Benitez’s starting XI last season and is pretty much the antithesis of his competitor at right-back.
Unlike Manquillo, Yedlin is very much attack minded, frighteningly quick and a real outlet on the flanks. With Benitez setting Newcastle up to counter with pace and purpose, the 24-year-old’s famed acceleration could prove very handy indeed.
After all, Benitez will soon have the dependable Paul Dummett back from injury to provide that defensive balance on the opposite flank, giving Yedlin further freedom to roam in attack.
Manquillo was likely signed as a versatile back-up option in the summer. With Yedlin returning, it may be time for him to take up that role.
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