DeAndre Yedlin might not be contributing to Tottenham's cause just yet, but manager Mauricio Pochettino has eased concerns over the youngster's future at the club.
Yedlin joined Spurs from the Seattle Sounders at the start of the new year, but the US national team regular has yet to break into the club's game-day roster despite Tottenham having a slew of games in recent weeks. That has some stateside fans worried over whether Yedlin will become the latest example of a player getting lost in the European shuffle, but Pochettino insists that the 21-year-old speedster will have a role to play once he settles into his new surroundings.
"DeAndre only recently arrived in London, and like all young players needs to go through an adaption period, where he gets to know a new way and new culture," Pochettino told FutbolMLS.com exclusively. "We have to work this transition carefully and slowly, giving him the necessary time to be able to acclimate on and off the field. Then, he will be able to show off his qualities.
"But it's obvious that if he's here, it's because we expect much from him."
Yedlin was recently with the US and started in a pair of winter friendlies against Chile and Panama. He surely has an eye on the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, but might have a difficult time making the roster if he does not see some semblance of first-team minutes between now and then.
While Pochettino is currently preaching patience with Yedlin, the Argentine is plenty aware of what he has to offer. After all, Tottenham signed Yedlin with the idea that he could contribute to their cause at some point.
"We knew he was a player with lots of potential, who's already done some interesting things in MLS and has additionally played in the last World Cup," said Pochettino. "That's why we decided to bring him over sooner, and to begin working with him little by little."
