But here’s the short version of any Yedlin scouting report: Strengths: Athleticism, fearlessness. Weaknesses: Everything else... Yedlin draws criticism for some of his decision-making. He likes to go forward, sometimes at the expense of his defensive responsibilities. “It’s such a fine line with him,” says Sounders goalkeeper and USMNT veteran Marcus Hahnemann. “You want to overlap and get forward, but wait a minute — you’re still a defender. You still have those responsibilities....” “Could he be a winger? Yeah, sure,” Porter says. “But when you look at the top wingers, he’s never going to be more technical and more clever off the dribble and in his combination and movement than those guys are. He just doesn’t have that."
yeah, I thought that part of the article was crap. Just compare Yedlin technically to Marvell Wynne. He may not be the best 1 v. 1 winger in the league but he delivers a really good driven cross (one of the best in the league, IMHO, where so many are floated in), has a decent first touch and is good enough on the ball to be able to dribble defenders even in the WC. Positioning? How many 21 y.o. pros don't need to work on positioning?
Porter's view pretty much align with mine and most others. He is not and should not be a winger. He lacks the creativity on the ball as well as the other nuances that make up a wingers game. His best assests are his speed, crossing, 1v1 defending. His touch and technique are adequate enough when in combination with his physical tools to succeed as a RB in a big league. He has learning to do tactically but don't most 20 year olds?
That's the point. He is a top level athlete. He can improve on everything else. That isn't to say he sucks, it's just the way the high level teams are going to look at it. Coaches acknowledge his ceiling is lower as a winger than as a defender primarily because his technique isn't up to the level of top wing prospects. I suppose you're taking offense to the term 'weaknesses'? How about: 'areas to improve.' Better? I hope Yedlin can take some constructive criticism better than some of his fans! He has a ceiling at winger that probably tops out at Damarcus Beasley in his prime. That means he could be a very good professional winger, or he could potentially be a top-level, champion's league finalist caliber defender. I think that's the main point.
why would you say this? You (and I) have no idea where he could potentially top out. He may just be another solid pro or the best outside back in the world.
I also wonder about the work permit angle to this. Those old "USMNT fullback to Tottenham" (Bobby Convey) neurons just started firing up again.
I said as a winger, by which I meant in a similar position to Beez at PSV, or Robben, Ribery, Bale at Tott... The only thing i was trying to say is that his ceiling as a player is higher as an outside BACK than as a winger.
Bale was this close to being put on the garbage pile when one day Redknapp needed a winger. Nobody predicted that. Just sit back and enjoy.
DeAndre Yedlin transfer Tottenham is done and finalized at $4 million. He will remain with Seattle for 2014 at least. #Sounders— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) August 13, 2014
It's official! http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/yedlin-move-agreed-130814/ I still don't understand how this works. He signed a contract - that starts at the beginning of the 2015 season? Or it starts now and he's on loan? Maybe someone will explain it eventually.
We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Seattle Sounders for the transfer of DeAndre Yedlin. pic.twitter.com/nfBTmI96Kv— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 13, 2014 ******** off!!!!!
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs-tv/interviews/deandre-speaks-on-spurs-switch/ I think I'm going to throw up
Hopefully he's used at right back. I fear him getting loaned constantly and his career stalling. EPL is sexy because money and fans here can watch it on TV. For his development it might not be.