Earlier in the start of 2014, we released a list of 100 Best Young Players to Watch-out for in 2014 under our Talent Radar feature divided positionally (into Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders, Forwards/Wingers). Players eligible to be included in the list were those that were born on or after 1st January 1993, which meant that at the time of writing they were 20 years old or below. 7 articles were published with one featuring 10 goalkeepers, 30 defenders, 30 midfielders, and 30 forwards ranked numerically within their respective positions based on our opinions.
We’ve kept a track of the performances of these players (and other youngsters) in that Talent Radar feature, which you can read about here, or view articles under it here.
As the transfer window opened up this summer, a lot of these players moved to new, often bigger, clubs. The more well known players like Luke Shaw, Hakan Calhanoglu and Romelu Lukaku who were part of that 100, secured big moves this past month or so; while those not so well known like Lazar Markovic & Jan Oblak were also among the movers.
Before long, Spurs also dipped into the market and secured the signing of Ben Davies, #21 in our list of defenders from the 100 to Watch. Few weeks later news came through of Spurs’ signing of Eric Dier from Sporting CP. The English defender was at #22 in that list, two for two for Talent Radar from Spurs.
Remarkably now, that same list has produced another Spurs signing, De Andre Yedlin, who was at #30. Although there were 100 players, all these young Spurs defensive signings were ranked in the same list.
DeAndre Yedlin is a young defender, who plays for the Seattle Sounders, and will continue to do so till the end of the 2014-15 season. The youngster was the Sounders’ first ever home grown player when he joined them in January 2013. Yedlin has also represented his country at different age levels, before making it into the senior team. He was a welcome addition to the USMNT’s squad for the World Cup, making 3 appearances, and impressing in the group stage clash with Germany.
Yedlin is a right back, and a very athletic one. The player is quite comfortable getting forward to assist the attackers, and has a good cross on him. His efforts were vital in setting up the USA’s second goal against Portugal when the teams clashed in the World Cup.
While all this is a coincidence, if Spurs sign a 4th player from the list, we are definitely going to claim credit. Uros Spajic maybe Mauricio?
Talent Radar will continue to keep track of DeAndre Yedlin.
