DeAndre Yedlin and Tottenham Will Benefit from Player's Sunderland Loan Move

DeAndre Yedlin became a household name in the United States after a series of impressive substitute performances for the national team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. 

Against Portugal, Germany and Belgium, Yedlin caught the eye with his pace and aggressive defending. 

Rumours abounded soon after America's exit from the tournament that the fleet-footed 21-year-old might be snapped up by a European club. 

Tottenham moved fastest and secured Yedlin's signature in August. 

The first homegrown Seattle Sounders MLS player, Yedlin has been seen as key to the United States' long-term future, and his move to the Premier League was seen as a positive for his development. 

Finally arriving in January 2015, Yedlin played just once last season for Spurs, a substitute appearance against Aston Villa in which he showed off both his potential and his limitations. 

His athleticism is first-rate. 

Astonishingly quick and possessing a fantastic capacity for work, Yedlin has the physical tools to make it to the very top.

Yedlin has played so little football that it is difficult to judge whether he can develop into a good enough player to make a mark at Spurs. 

Still just 22, Yedlin has already collected 25 international caps while playing just 70 games at senior club level. 

For that reason, his instincts are poorly honed, and he consistently displays poor judgement. 

His defensive positioning was questionable even in the 11 minutes of Premier League action he saw against Villa. 

Having missed Tottenham's pre-season preparations due to his Gold Cup duties, Yedlin was already behind his teammates.

The summer signing of Burnley full-back Kieran Trippier ensured that Yedlin was unlikely to see much action in his preferred position for Spurs this season. 

Speculation that he would be utilised as a winger, as he has to some acclaim for the U.S., abounded but ultimately proved to be wide of the mark. 

It seemed virtually certain that Yedlin would be sent out on loan, and he made his temporary move to Sunderland near the end of the transfer window. 

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

The Black Cats proved something of a finishing school for Danny Rose in the 2012-13 season, and Spurs will be expecting similar improvement from the American. 

Yedlin himself, and Tottenham, will be hoping for significant first-team opportunities in the coming season. 

Fellow Black Cats right-backs Billy Jones and Adam Matthews stand in his way. 

Ex-Celtic star Matthews is struggling for fitness, while Jones is a player of limited quality. 

There is no reason to believe that Yedlin can't force his way into the team. 

If he can, he will improve rapidly. 

Having shown a capacity to learn from his mistakes while in the MLS (or just 'MLS' for our American friends), Yedlin will develop quickly given the chance. 

The improvement that will come from regular opportunities will, at the very least, improve his value for a future sale. 

Sending Yedlin to Sunderland on loan is the ideal move for Spurs, as long as he plays. 

If he fails to force his way into the team, they will likely recall him and send him elsewhere, but it would not bode well for the young American. 

The Rose example is instructive. 

Having begun his professional career as a winger, Rose moved back to full-back and had to learn his new position. His time at Sunderland was invaluable, giving him opportunities to grow in an unfamiliar role. 

By the end of his time on Wearside, Sunderland fans were keen to retain Rose, and the club tried in vain to secure him on a permanent deal. 

Rose is now one of the finest full-backs in England, and his time playing for Sunderland was vital. 

Yedlin now has the opportunity to emulate Rose in moving to the Northeast to grow his game. 

That is the best that he can hope for: having a genuine chance to prove himself in the Premier League. 

This move is also a good one for Spurs. 

They have found a place for a player who would otherwise not see much action. 

As long as he sees playing time with Sunderland, Yedlin will either sink or swim. 

If he succeeds, Tottenham will gain a more experienced and more valuable player when he returns next summer. 

Should he fail, Spurs will be sure of his limitations without taking any risk.

Their tiny investment, reported by MLSsoccer.com as $4 million (approximately £2.5 million), means there is little at stake for the club. 

The signing of Yedlin was a gamble. 

While he has shown some promise, he is far from the finished article, and Mauricio Pochettino's reticence to give him playing time last season is telling. 

This move was a shrewd one on Tottenham's part. It absolves them of any risk while standing to reap maximum rewards if he succeeds, but it is also the best possible situation for Yedlin.