According to latest reports, Sunderland retains their interest in Tottenham Hotspur full-back DeAndre Yedlin and are looking to close the deal in the coming days. The former Seattle Sounders star had spent the last season on loan at the Stadium of Light and was an important component of their relegation dogfight.
Sunderland put up a good account of themselves on the opening day of the season against title-favourites Manchester City and narrowly lost the match after an unfortunate own-goal on debut by former Manchester United man Paddy McNair. The Black Cats have been struggling with relegation battles since the last five years and David Moyes has vowed to resurrect the club’s fortunes this season and move them higher up the table where they should belong.
Moyes has endured a difficult couple of seasons after dismal failures at Manchester United and Real Sociedad but is still widely respected in footballing circles and the project at Sunderland is expected to be more to his liking. Everton were extremely difficult to beat during his time at the club and even though he had to sell most of his main players every season, they still managed to retain the solidity and stability remarkably well. And the first look at his Sunderland side on Saturday showed familiar glimpses of Moyes’s style. They kept their shape well and let the opposition have the ball but the work-rate and diligence was back in the team. And what was more encouraging for the fans was the relatively short amount of time he has spent with the troops.
But Moyes won’t be basking in the distinct change he has brought about in the short period of time. He recognizes the need to bring in reinforcements and Yedlin has been earmarked as an option for the right-back slot. They are relatively light in the area and the U.S. international’s versatility will be invaluable for them as he can deputise on the right side of the midfield too. He has shown the supporters what he is capable of and with limited first team chances on offer at Spurs, will be interested in more game time elsewhere.
The 23-year old made 23 appearances for the Premier League side and was a busy figure on the right flank. He made 106 clearances, 24 interceptions, and 13 blocks. He also supplied 12 key passes for the attacking players out of which they could convert only one. He is quick with the ball at his feet and is a good dribbler. His ability to concentrate helps him cut down on his mistakes and he has a high percentage of successful tackles which helps stop the opposition attacks near the by-line itself.
Yedlin was not included in the squad for the game against Everton and with Walker and Trippier ahead of him in the pecking order and he would be more suited to a move elsewhere, preferably on loan as Tottenham would have reservations sending him to a Premier League rival on a permanent basis just yet.
