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DeAndre Yedlin gives interview – Loving life again

6 years ago
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DeAndre Yedlin is a happy man once again, the defender having missed the start of the season through injury.

Now though, having played three games in a row for Newcastle, he feels he is back to full fitness.

Certainly on Sunday, many Newcastle fans made the defender their man of the match, as well as getting forward he made some superb interceptions as his pace allowed him to cover across the backline.

DeAndre Yedlin says that ‘being out so long made me hungrier to get back’.

He is now back in in time to link up with his national squad for their games against Panama and Trinidad and Tobago, the final two World Cup 2018 qualifiers.

Yedlin has talked about the difference between playing in the usual full-back role as compared to the wing-back position he has been used in for his country at times, to utilise his attacking potential.

Rafa Benitez has so far resisted going down this route but interesting to see at times if he will go in that direction this season.

One thing for sure is that if DeAndre Yedlin can keep up the form he showed v Liverpool, Newcastle will have a great asset on that right-hand side – with the challenge then of replicating the quality of the Ritchie/Yedlin partnership on the left.

DeAndre Yedlin talking to Soccer America:

“It is not easy to stay up (and watch national team on TV due to the time difference) when you have training the next day.

“You want to help, you have to put your faith in these guys that they can get the job done. I am honoured to be back here.

“I’m pretty close (to full fitness), as close as I can be, if I’m not, probably something is wrong with me.

“I’ve always been a pretty positive person, definitely getting mentally stronger and stronger.

“Being out so long made me hungrier to get back. I am ever more focused than I was before. I feel stronger tactically. When I wasn’t able to run, I watched a lot of film and a lot of games.

Rafa preaches pretty much the same principles no matter who is on the field.

“The good thing about our team is that it is young and hungry so everyone has bought into his game plan. And it has showed with the results.

“You have a little bit more defensive responsibilities (playing in a back four)  helping the centre-back next to you.

“As a wing-back, you can be more aggressive when you get the ball. But you might not have help out there and be pretty isolated, so you have to be good on your own.”

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