Championship Left-back of the Season: Andy Yiadom

‘Yids’ impressing – ghanasoccernet.com

For a player who was playing non-league football as recently as 2015, Andy Yiadom has made great strides in the English game.

He was excellent for Barnet in their 14/15 National League title-winning campaign and was one of the most athletic players in League Two the following year. He stood out for the Bees playing either as a right-back or a right winger but since moving to Barnsley, his versatility has been tested even further.

The surprising summer exit of George Williams to MK Dons, Cole Kpekawa and Callum Elder’s poor displays as well as Aidan White’s injuries has opened up a vacancy at left-back. To Yiadom credit, when asked to fill in he has done so better than a lot of naturals in that position.

In fact, he has been arguably Barnsley’s most consistent player, considering what happened in January: Sam Morsy returned to Wigan, Sam Winnall departed for rivals Sheffield Wednesday while James Bree and Conor Hourihane left for Aston Villa.

Tom Bradshaw has shown potential but only played a full 90 minutes on seven occasions. Marc Roberts has enjoyed man-of-the-match performances against Huddersfield, Ipswich and Preston while fellow centre-back Angus MacDonald deserves his new deal.

Yiadom however, has combined defensive qualities with 1.9 dribbles per game (WhoScored). That seems even more impressive when one considers that he has started 16 of his 30 games at left-back. There, he must either find more space on the outside but use his weaker foot, or cut inside onto his stronger foot but move into a crowded area.

To perfect such a wide variety of skills in those circumstances – a new position at a club two divisions higher – is worthy of special praise.