AMSTERDAM – With DeAndre Yedlin all set to spend the rest of the Premier League season on loan from Tottenham to Sunderland, it's time to play another treacherous round of the "How should that go?" game.
We've hit big on a few of these exercises and, oh, we have flubbed a few. This one may be among the most initially tricky to call from the bunch, but here goes anyway.
The Team
Surely you recall Sunderland? They are not quite the same mess as when Jozy Altidore departed for Toronto, but still a mess. Now, though, Dick Advocaat is the one to wish good luck tidying things up. The team has leaked a league-worst 10 goals in their winless four-game start to the season.
The bright side is Advocaat has installed more of a Dutch-style 4-3-3. He's brought in Eredivisie experience that seems to have sparked the attack this past week, adding Ola Toivonen (assist on debut) and Jeremain Lens (a goal and two helpers in four games). Of course, former Toronto FC man Jermain Defoe is in the mix, and he hit a big equalizer set up by the Netherlands winger a couple weekends back.
France defensive midfielder Yann M'Vila is also on board for backline protection, and plenty is needed. Younès Kaboul has also arrived from Spurs, but aside from new (and injured) right back Adam Matthews, the rest of the defense stable is fairly unchanged. Therein lies a highly visible problem.
The Competition
One might think this is a two-pronged question, with Yedlin available at right back and up the wing as an attacker. Actually, there are three possible playing spots, as Sunderland are also currently in need of some left back cover.
Patrick van Aanholt is the only one around, and his performance level may vary. There would be good questions about Yedlin's potential competency (read: lineup staying power) at left back and as to how playing there might impact his development/US national team standing.
With most likely preferring it doesn't come to that, Yedlin's usual positions currently have injury issues of their own. With Matthews probably out for another six weeks, Billy Jones is the right back competition.
Given his recent use with both Spurs and the Nats, right wing may seem the obvious assignment for Yedlin at the Stadium of Light. And it's true that regular starter Adam Johnson is likely sidelined until mid-October. Nevertheless, Advocaat is unlikely to fiddle much with an attack that has suddenly bagged eight goals in two games.
The Fit
If Yedlin works somewhere along the right flank, the system and the coach should certainly allow him to feel comfortable. Advocaat will want timely attack raids from the wingbacks and anybody playing the right flank will have plenty of long leads to run for (at least until Sunderland settle on a midfield that can start winning the possession battle in EPL matches).
There are guys to run wild with, like Defoe, Lens and fresh returnee Fabio Borini. There is still that big target in the middle, the unsinkable Steven Fletcher. With their low trajectory/amount of air time and quick dip, Yedlin's best crosses would look rather tempting to the Scotland striker.
Of course, the main problem to date has been keeping the ball out of their end and net. If Yedlin can tilt the field a bit on whichever side he occupies on a given day, he'll play enough to find a fit.
The Forecast
Sorting through the numerous variables feels a bit like living the trash compactor scene from Star Wars, but the cute princess is near, so we'll be brave and soldier on. Presuming he stays healthy, Yedlin might be good for a dozen starts and about as many sub appearances.
Given that amount of pitch time, one would hope he could pile up four assists and have an impact in a few good results. As he is not in a headline position, like when Altidore was counted on to score up top, Yedlin should avoid a fair bit of the razzing that comes with playing for a cellar-dweller. If his effort is true, he'll mostly draw empathy from the fan base.
All in all, it probably won't be the ideal experience, but sometimes the tough stretches make the player. We shall find out how Yedlin responds to this assignment soon enough.
