DeAndre Yedlin dubbed ‘best full-back in Championship’ after two-assist performance vs. Rotherham

Newcastle United drubbed Rotherham, 4-0, on Saturday afternoon with USMNT defender DeAndre Yedlin getting the start at right back and chipping in two assists on the day. Post-match plaudits were heaped onto the American following the convincing win, with some even claiming he’s the best full-back in the entire Championship.

Sky Sports analyst Peter Beagrie had this to say after Yedlin’s second assist of the day, which apparently should’ve been called a handball on scorer Ayoze Perez:

“Yedlin is the best full-back in the division. He pulls the ball back, Perez does well to get in front, we thought ‘great goal diving header’, rather than putting his head in he’s put his arm in.”

via ChronicleLive

The kind words for Yedlin didn’t stop there. ChronicleLive state that Yedlin’s pace for changing Newcastle United’s whole gameplan, crediting him for improving the side’s mentality over recently-injured right back competitor Vurnon Anita:

Against Rotherham, it was the USA international’s ability to eat up ground at an incredible rate which eventually helped break down the visitors’ resistance.

Not only did the 23-year-old provide an assist for the first - his speed stretched the Rotherham back four and allowed Murphy room to score - but he singlehandedly created the third.

A long ball down the right would have evaded most players, yet Yedlin has quite astonishing acceleration and he flew down the right wing, then whipped in a cross from on the byline which Perez nodded in.

Vurnon Anita’s injury is damaging to Newcastle in one way, but it does allow Yedlin to get a consistent run in the team.

And the American offers an attacking threat which Anita simply does not.

The win moves the Magpies up to the top of the table temporarily over Brighton, who have a match in hand. However, they are nine points clear of third place with the top two finishers clinching automatic promotion to the Premier League.

It appears that Yedlin made the right move this Summer by leaving Spurs and joining Newcastle in the Championship. He’s settling in very nicely so far and is an important component to the club’s bid for promotion after getting relegated last season.

While the comment of him being the best full-back in the league is made by just one random analyst, it’s still a cool complement for him and proof that he’s doing very well this season. Under Jurgen Klinsmann, Yedlin lost his grasp on the starting right back job towards the final few matches as Timmy Chandler took over. It will be interesting to see where he stands in the pecking order now that Bruce Arena is in charge.

H/T @NatsAbroad