Craig Burley is unsure if DeAndre Yedlin made the right choice joining Spurs mid-season.
The challenges DeAndre Yedlin faces at Tottenham have been highlighted by Craig Burley, speaking to ESPN.
The former Chelsea, Derby and Celtic midfielder believes the new signing’s lack of game time could hinder his development.
Yedlin was originally scheduled to join Spurs from MLS side Seattle Sounders in the summer, but his transfer was brought forward, in part to avoid him leaving midway through Seattle’s 2015 season.
The overlapping seasons however mean Yedlin has joined Tottenham halfway through their campaign, making breaking into their side more difficult than it would have been with a pre-season behind him.
Burley said: “The problem for Yedlin is by moving to Tottenham, he is limiting any game time at all. You’re losing sharpness, fitness, and confidence, so it is a difficult one.”
The US international is yet to make his debut, making one appearance for the under-21s so far.
He has this week flown to Chile for a midweek international friendly for Jurgen Klinsmann’s side after a late call-up.
While this initial period will be testing for Yedlin, anything he is able to achieve now will be considered a bonus.
With him originally scheduled to join in the summer, this is in many ways preparation for next season, when hopefully the benefits of his early arrival will begin to be felt.
With Mauricio Pochettino’s famed double training sessions to contend with, there is little chance of Yedlin getting out of shape just through a lack of match action.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
