"They don't say, Sunderland, they say 'the Newcastle player" - DeAndre Yedlin drops claim on controversial Tyne-Wear divide | OneFootball

DeAndre Yedlin was quick to outline his spell at Newcastle as career defining despite his big break coming at fierce rivals Sunderland.

DeAndre Yedlin is one of a handful of players who can say they have featured for both sides of a fierce rivalry as he represented both factions of the Tyne-Wear derby, making appearances for both Sunderland and Newcastle United during a seven-year stay in England.

Although only a loan spell at the Black Cats, Yedlin confirmed in an interview with FourFourTwo this week that getting his big break at the club after not featuring at Tottenham was an important moment for his career. However, with that in mind, his comments on his stint at Newcastle were even more favourable.

DeAndre Yedlin heaped praise onto former boss Rafa Benitez

Yedlin mentioned both sides of the famous rivalry when discussing the shape of his career and the moments of progression that he believed to be most important.

He said: “In hindsight, it [Sunderland] was probably one of the most important chapters of my life. But when I moved to Newcastle, it was a big moment for me because all my friends at home knew Newcastle. To play for such a historic club, in that stadium, under Rafa Benitez, a legendary coach, was a significant moment.”

In spite of his respect for both clubs, Yedlin was quick to point out the controversial difference in stature of the two teams.

“Newcastle is the big one on my resume," he added. "When I meet people here in the States, they don't say, Sunderland, they say ‘the Newcastle player'".

The right-back spent five years with the Magpies, a spell during which he made 85 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals and providing four assists. Despite his emphasis on the club's importance to his career, Yedlin only really nailed down a starting spot in his first season with the club, when he made 34 league appearances. Competition in the right-back position from Emil Krafth and fellow former Black Cat Javier Manquillo meant that his minutes were often limited.

Yet, this did not stop Yedlin from lauding former boss Rafa Benitez when it came to his coaching abilities and proficiency in improving his players.

Yedlin said: “We had a great team and were on the ball a lot, which allowed me to play how I was used to playing. I loved Rafa. His game is organized and disciplined, focused more on the defensive side.

“He really challenged me on positioning defensively, which was probably my weakest point. I was always quite fast, so I could make up for positional mistakes, but at that level, you get exposed in that area.”

DeAndre Yedlin's time at Sunderland was also of utmost importance

Despite his controversial claim that Newcastle is viewed as a larger club than Sunderland, the latter's contribution to his career should not go unmentioned.

Yedlin had struggled to break into the team at Tottenham, as he signed for the club during a period in which Kyle Walker was making his mark in the starting XI. Subsequently, he was sent on loan to Sunderland to secure playing time.

Reflecting on his time being coached by Sam Allardyce, Yedlin remarked: “Big Sam is a bit more defensive, so positioning-wise, I had to work on that side of the game. I wasn't in a different position on the field, but as far as how the team wanted to play, defensively I had to work a lot harder.”

It is rare that a player has such high praise for two sides of a rivalry as big as that of Newcastle and Sunderland. Despite his comments regarding the public's view of both clubs, it is clear that each team had its own profound effect on his development as a player, and he looks back fondly on two spells bridging the Tyne-Wear derby.

Even so, his comments on the size of the club will certainly prove controversial at the Stadium of Light.