2018-19 Newcastle United player evaluation: DeAndre Yedlin

DeAndre Yedlin experienced extreme highs and lows on the pitch for Newcastle United this season.

While there were moving parts, due to injury and form, across Newcastle United’s backline, DeAndre Yedlin served as a constant at right back for the Magpies. The speedy American missed limited time at the beginning and end of the season, experiencing occasional promising moments in attack and lapses in judgment on the defensive end. We look back at his season and determine if he should be the first-choice starter next campaign.

2018-19 Premier League stats: 29 appearances, two assists, one goal, one red card, 77 crosses (23% accuracy)

Durim Halimi

DeAndre Yedlin is one of those players that Newcastle United supporters either love or frequently criticize. While I think some of the criticism he receives, especially regarding his inconsistency over a period of three or four matches, is fair, I also think he is the best wing-back on the roster. Yes, Paul Dummett has, once again, proven to be the most reliable wing-back on the roster, but the trend in the Premier League is that teams are turning to speedy defenders to make overlapping runs down the flank.

Yedlin utilized his quick feet to do just that this past season. He was able to attract more defenders out wide and open running lanes for his teammates up the middle. The problem, however, is his poor crossing accuracy. If Yedlin can improve that aspect of his game he can become make the Magpies’ all the more dangerous offensively. Defensively, Yedlin was quick to close down runs from the opposition and he was not afraid to make daring tackles, but sometimes he took too many risks and conceded fouls in dangerous areas. He has some work to do this summer after recovering from his recent surgery, but he is a regular starter in my eyes.

2019-20 NUFC outlook: Surefire starter

Carson A. Merk

It was an interesting season for DeAndre Yedlin. He started off the year with what looked like a major knee injury, which turned out to be minor one. He scored his first Premier League goal, a significant accomplishment for an American in the EPL, against Manchester City at the Etihad. He also had a pair of especially poor moments, an own goal vs. Chelsea and a red card against Wolves. His year ended when he had groin surgery.

Yedlin is an enigma for Newcastle United. He has great pace and decent skill on the ball, but he does not get forward enough. Because I think there are much bigger fish to fry, Yedlin will remain the starter at right back. But, he needs to become more of a threat offensively. In today’s Premier League, you need production in the attack from your full backs.

2019-20 NUFC outlook: Surefire starter