DeAndre Yedlin has been reaping the rewards of recent playing time at Newcastle United and the American defender helped his team to an important home point on Wednesday.
Yedlin retained his starting spot in Steve Bruce’s lineup against Liverpool, helping the Magpies shut down the defending champions in a scoreless draw. Newcastle’s result snapped a five-match losing streak to the Reds in league play and saw the hosts rebound from back-to-back defeats in all competitions.
The 27-year-old Yedlin made his fourth-consecutive start for the Magpies, going the distance in all four appearances. While Karl Darlow stole the show in goal for Newcastle United, Yedlin impressed alongside several defensive teammates.
Yedlin made six clearances and won five of his six individual battles, helping frustrate Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino in Liverpool’s high-potent attack. In addition, the right back also made two interceptions and drew two fouls, continuing to show confidence in his first string of lengthy appearances since January.
His biggest moment came in the 88th minute as Firmino’s close range header was saved by Darlow, but the veteran defender was on the line to clear any rebound opportunity.
The draw helped Newcastle United move to 14th in the league table on 19 points so far, moving eight points from the relegation zone. A busy festive period comes to an end for the Magpies on January 3rd with Leicester City coming to St. James Park.
As for Yedlin, he will aim to continue racking up minutes in Bruce’s squad with the January Transfer Window set to open this weekend.
Yedlin is fast (at least I assume he still is). That has always been his strength. The quality of his touches and crosses were (at least in the past) somewhat weaker, but his speed put him in spots from which to make those crosses and it allowed him to recover from some bad touches.
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It takes multiple games to learn if defensive acumen has improved but I have not seen him very much. On its face, the result against Liverpool looks good, but then Liverpool was tied by Fulham as well. Maybe Liverpool is struggling a bit lately, perhaps that made USMNT defenders Yedlin and Robinson look better than they are.
Is this really an important point for Newcastle? I dont think so, they arent getting relegated and they arent going to the top. It was more an important missing of two points by Liverpool, who are playing for a reason.
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Glad Yedlin played well, but Newcastle games really only affect a few teams that they play, who need results. You can see why he didnt develop there, as he was automatic starter on a team playing for nothing for his whole career in England.
And I blame Mike Ashley first and foremost. But maybe Boris will help:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-transfers-takeover-live-19466034.amp
Has he said anymore about wanting to or not wanting to play for the National team? If he can get a transfer and get playing time you’d think he’d be in contention for getting called in, if he wants it.
I think Yedlin’s experience at Newcastle is a great example of how a coach impacts a player. Under Benitez, Yedlin was an automatic starter due to his ability to get forward and put the opponent under pressure. He also got good reviews about how his actual defense improved. Under subsequent coaches who want their defenders only to defend (its the English way – right Steve Bruce?), Yedlin has dropped down the pecking order to the point that Bruce was trying to get him out of the club. Hopefully, another team in the EPL can see his value. I wonder if we will see him in the Championship following the January transfer window
Süper Lig is more likely
That’s not wholly accurate either. Yedlin was injured and missed the start of 2019/20 Bruce quickly put him into the lineup in his second match back starting 6 games in a row another injury then played in 4 of 5 before another injury. Starts his first match back then sits for YC accumulation. He sits the final 3 before Covid then both sides start talking about a move when the restart begins. Bruce gave him chances just untimely injury kept him holding onto his spot in the fall of 2019.
It’s good to see Yedlin back and playing well. If I were Yedlin, I wouldn’t trust Steve Bruce and look for a new club next season. When Javier Manquillo is back healthy, Steve Bruce will go back to starting the Spaniard. Yedlin should continue to show his worth to other clubs while getting valuable playing times right now.
His passing and crossing going forward wasn’t always there but a good game defensively for sure. Had stops on both Salah and Mane. Nice to watch him match Mane’s quick move for the block while off balance and stopped Salah from a shot with just the keeper to beat. Good to see him out there after not even riding the pine for most of the season.
I can remember when the criticism of Yedlin was that he was good going forward but his defending wasn’t so good. In fact, I think it was Klinsmann who played him on the wing several times.
I think criticism is more his off ball defensive work, his athleticism generally helps him out on ball it his ball watching that’s gotten him in trouble.