A test for Yedlin

American DeAndre Yedlin has had a career where he has had to adjust to a higher level of football and improve to make the grade each time.



He has gone from College to Major League Soccer to the USA national side to Tottenham Hotspur. His career has been an upward curve, but he perhaps didn't appreciate quite what a step up it is from the MLS to the Premier League.

"It's tough. With Seattle, I had to prove myself as well. It's no different. This process has taken a little bit longer and I expected that. It's another level up. I'm working hard every day and just trying to improve and hopefully prove that I deserve a spot.

"(The speed of play) is a little bit faster. It's obviously in a different country, so culture-wise it has been a little bit different. I'm living on my own, no family there or anything. I've had to adjust."

He joined Spurs in January, had an injury in February, has reportedly not impressed in training but impressed in friendly games. He is very much a raw talent, his technical skills are behind the squad, but he has other qualities, not least speed and an ability to pick a pass.

"The competition is tough over here. Kyle Walker is one of the best fullbacks in the league, so it's obviously going to be tough competing with him, but we all know the qualities that DeAndre's got."

Pochettino seemed to indicate that he is likely to go out on loan when he indicated that he is young. It would probably be best in the long run as he needs to be playing regularly to improve and adjust to the football over here.

"I think that DeAndre is very young. He has a very good potential for the future. I think joining us in the middle of the season last season, he had an opportunity to show his value and try to convince me to stay next season...It's like any other player. He has the same opportunity to show his quality."

The MLS game gave Yedlin an opportunity to talk to former Spurs player Clint Dempsey and he has also spoken to another former Spurs player, USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann. Both have told him he will need to be patient, not something he has really had to be thus far in his career.

"You can't rush into things. I'm still young and it will take time. That's the main thing, just to be patient and my chance will come."

Yedlin was pleased to get some minutes under his belt he told reporters after the game and is now looking forward to perhaps gaining some more minutes in Germany at the Audi Cup.

Further Tottenham Reading

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