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With Tottenham Hotspur in Denver, preparing to take on the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday, part of the lead up has been press conferences with various players and coaches. Mauricio Pochettino joined Harry Kane, Nabil Bentaleb, and Kyle Walker in answering questions, and while most of the Q&A appeared to be pretty basic stuff about MLS and the match itself, Pochettino answered one reporter's question about the future of USMNT midfielder DeAndre Yedlin. Ben Pearce, who covers Spurs for a variety of outlets in London, tweeted out the response.
#thfc Mostly a Q&A about the growth of the MLS, playing at altitude etc. But Pochettino did answer a question about Yedlin...
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) July 27, 2015
#thfc Poch: "He joined middle of last season & I think he has an opportunity now to show his value & try to convince me to stay next season"
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) July 27, 2015
#thfc Poch: "Its like other players, he has same opportunity to show his quality & maybe, why not, stay in the squad for the next season..."
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) July 27, 2015
#thfc The question was about Yedlin's chances of staying with the team or going out on loan.
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) July 27, 2015
While this isn't exactly an earth-shattering bit of talk, it does give us something to go by and how Pochettino views Yedlin. The American has been given an ample amount of time to adjust to living in London, spending most of his time playing with the U-21 squad and eventually breaking through with a substitute appearance against Aston Villa in April. It would be his only appearance for the season, but this comes as a shock to nobody, given how careful and patient the club has been with DeAndre.
One question that I would have loved to hear is what role he would be playing in the squad. While Yedlin was purchased as a fullback from Seattle Sounders FC last summer, USMNT Head Coach Jürgen Klinsmann has moved Yedlin into a more advanced role, playing him as more of a midfielder or winger in the Americans' attack. With Spurs purchase of Kieran Trippier from the now-relegated side Burnley FC, the rumors picked up quickly that Yedlin was more than likely going to go out on loan, even linked to newly-promoted side Norwich City. If Pochettino keeps him on the squad, would it be at right midfield or right fullback? Officially, according to MLSSoccer.com, he's listed as a defender, but we know that can change in the blink of an eye.
Ultimately, Pochettino has shown to be a manager willing to give chances where they are deserved. Yedlin had solid showings for the USMNT in the Gold Cup, mainly brought on as a second half substitute to out-pace opposing left fullbacks. I would be absolutely stunned if we don't see him on Wednesday for an extended period of time and, also, in the Audi Cup next week against Real Madrid and whoever we play between Bayern Munich and AC Milan. The bottom line, though, is that it appears nothing has been decided for the upcoming season with DeAndre and he has an opportunity like everyone else to prove he should be on the first team for the upcoming EPL season.