This tape is worth watching, perhaps less on a football level, and more on a human level, if that makes sense. What we have here now, is a picture forming, where 3 Tottenham players of colour claimed to have mental health issues, Aaron Lennon, Danny Rose and now DeAndre Yedlin. I lack the understanding of what might be happening at other clubs, but either way, is this ‘just’ part and parcel of the modern game, or do Spurs have a problem somewhere in-house?
ESPN FC’s Alexis Nunes talks to Newcastle United and USMNT defender DeAndre Yedlin about his life in the Premier League. They discuss the difficulties of adapting both to life in the UK and the standards of the Premier League, how he battled depression when playing for Tottenham Hotspur and his feelings surrounding a possible money-spinning takeover at Newcastle.
And remember, if you’re feeling at a loss – talk to someone – it does help.
I don’t know the exact details of Yedlin but depression is an illness, and sometimes the word is used to describe something that it isn’t. Being homesick, sad and lonely are understandable feelings, but they do not always equate to depression. Few footballers will go through a life without any emotional ups and downs. Gareth Bale must have been under pressure when he went 19 consecutive seasons without a win! Then he has had to cope with Zidane throwing him under a bus. In between he won 4 European cups. This is where family and friends help. I fully understand Yedlin coming over at a young age and it feeling alien, but he isn’t the first to experience this so other players ‘should’ have helped, as well as player liaison officers (do they exist?). I do not see this as a problem solely for Spurs, or indeed a colour problem. Maybe the club could have arranged ‘family’ to come over to help. The Premier League was a huge step up for the lad, without doubt it came too soon for him at a club like Spurs. Playing him in the U23s would have been a step down, so a loan move should have happened earlier. Chelsea and United have Dutch ‘feeder’ teams, this would have been a good move for him. I know Marcus Edwards went out there, was it Excelsior? Fair play to Yedlin for forging a career because I didn’t think he was good enough. I like how he went to read a ‘how to succeed’ book. You have to be proactive in these situations, whether it is talking to someone or reading. You can’t just sit on your backside and wait for it to get better. Professional sports is awash with physiological coaches, more should be done for the psychology as maintaining confidence is key to success. Danny Rose obviously needed support when injured and the club should have been responsible first and foremost.