OPINION
You don’t want to judge a new player after only five games of the new season, especially when it’s somebody experiencing English football for the first time.
However, the early signs from Newcastle United wing back Emil Krafth haven’t exactly been positive. The Sweden international has made a slow start to life in the north east, and is coming off a shocker of a game against Liverpool on Saturday.
With that said, the Magpies faithful surely can’t wait for the return to first team action of right back DeAndre Yedlin, who was the team’s starter for much of last season.
The Shields Gazette revealed on Monday that the United States of America international has October 6 pencilled in as his return date from a groin problem that has plagued him all summer.
With Krafth struggling early doors, and with Javier Manquillo never truly convincing at the position either, the opportunity is there for Yedlin to come back and slide straight into Steve Bruce’s starting line up.
History would appear to indicate that he is more than good enough to do just that. When you consider his performances last season to what Krafth has offered up so far this term, the evidence emphatically favours the former.
As per WhoScored.com, Yedlin averaged more tackles and interceptions per game than Krafth has, while drawing more offsides from the opposition and being dribbled past less often. All this despite supposedly having defensive vulnerabilities, something Krafth was signed to address.
It’s clear, then, that the stage is set for the 26-year-old to make a triumphant return to first team action next month and, after what Krafth produced at Anfield, October can’t come soon enough for Newcastle fans.
