For Leeds United to escape a relegation fight in the English Premier League this season, it will need plenty of things to change, but one thing that doesn’t is the continued work rate of American midfielders Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie.
The U.S. men’s national team duo started alongside one another in Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Manchester United, the second-consecutive match in four days that they have done so. Adams has been a stalwart in Leeds United’s midfield, even prior to Jesse Marsch’s sacking last week, while McKennie has jumped right into the mix following his arrival on loan from Serie A side Juventus.
Leeds United’s winless run was extended to nine matches following Sunday’s loss, and although the Lilywhites will need to snap that run immediately, interim boss Michael Skubala enjoys his new midfield duo of Adams and McKennie.
“I love that partnership,” Skubala said in an interview with BBC Radio Leeds. I think they have quality on the ball, I think they have quality off the ball, I think at times they were playing against three and dealing with it. So I think they were covering areas of the pitch. But also, they look exciting when the ball turns over and they go forward. So I think it’s a really special partnership.”
Adams and McKennie’s chemistry began with the USMNT and has now continued with one of England’s most historic clubs. Both players will be key on trying to get Leeds United out of its recent struggles in Premier League play, especially with two major matches approaching against teams lower than them in the table (Everton and Southampton).
Adams and McKennie’s aggressiveness and range in midfield should do well in keeping pressure off the Leeds United backline, but overall, it will take a team effort in avoiding relegation to the English Championship. Whether Skubala remains in charge for the long-term is unknown, but whoever serves as manager, they will have a strong foundation with Adams and McKennie both laying it all on the line for the club’s survival.
Leeds United visits Everton on Feb. 18 before hosting Southampton on Feb. 25.
Adams is great.
—
Wes not so much. Physical and athletic hustler, but he lacks the touch and awareness to transition forward. Gives the ball away a lot. I hope this situation challenges him to fix those issues.
It’s why Juve played him wide. He’s pretty good in and around the box. Let’s see where the new manager plays him when Rocca gets healthy.
This is an odd article to write after two losses and a tie. I mean at least wait until their “special partnership” generates a few more ties. If you’re going to oversell American players, you have to get the timing right.
Their partnership has largely been two matches against the #2 team in the league that Leeds played even or better than for large stretches of those two matches. The difference ManU has 4 or 5 guys who can finish, Leeds has guys who need 4 or 5 chances to finish.
I gotta agree about the scoring potential at Leeds.
I didn’t watch the full game, so I missed the McKennie turnover in midfield that led to the Man U 2nd goal, how did he play otherwise? McKennie has to clean up his turnovers in dangerous positions, he turned it over last Wednesday at Old Trafford that could have led to a break away for Rashford had not Firpo committed a necessary foul to stop the break, and he looks a little heavy which to me says he’s still not taking his diet seriously!
“Leeds United’s interim boss, Michael Skubala, believes USMNT stars Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams can form a “really special partnership”……..because they know each other well and will be charged with steering a course to safety by stabilizing the midfield.
Yes. The two international colleagues with the United States have joined forces at Elland Road (with McKennie following Adams and Aaronson to the Premier League during the January transfer window) because on one reason and one reason only!!!!!!……..BECAUSE OF JESSE MARSCH!!!!! They are all there ONLY because of him………and the PRESS just HAPPENED to leave that part out!!!!!! SMH
“Southampton held talks with Jesse Marsch on Monday as they stepped up their search for a manager. Marsch, dismissed by Leeds last Monday, has been identified as a candidate to succeed Nathan Jones, who was sacked after 94 days. Jones left the club bottom of the Premier League after a run of seven defeats in eight league games.”
LLEETTSS GGGOOOOOO!!!!!!
Jesse Marsch the new Sam Allardyce. The good thing about being in the EPL manager club is Jesse will now have opportunities to get EPL and Championship jobs that wouldn’t have been available to him 5 years ago. However, he’s got to show the ability to manage more than one way. Teams have started to figure out his chaotic pressing system.
“However, he’s got to show the ability to manage more than one way.”
Now that I can agree with as most spots analysis say thats the same reason why Bielsa got fired
I really hope Marsch gets the Southampton Job
It will be crazy if Marsch gets hired by Southampton and engineers Southampton’s stay in the premier league and becomes Leeds demise as Leeds gets relegated. What a story line that would be.
That’s utter hyperbole. “One reason and one reason only”. Wes was hardly heart broken in his comments post firing and even said the players had seen it coming. Wes has said multiple times the goal was to play in the EPL not he’s always dreamed of playing for Marsch. I’m sure Wes was disappointed but he’s a pro he knew what he was getting into joining a team on the edge of relegation on a six game winless streak.
——————————————
Jesse seems a bit hard done given he never got a proven striker, but there’s also a decent possibility that strikers weren’t interested in playing for Marsch. Not all strikers want to do the running required to fit Jesse’s system. Bamford had expressed frustration at having to constantly take on both CBs without other runners. Looking at Marsch’s past we see BWP in MLS and Haaland in Austria having success. Did they have success because of Marsch or because they had significantly more talent than their league defenders?
—————————————
Jesse probably should have been let go in Oct after getting just 3 pts in 9 matches including losing 5 in a row. The win at Liverpool bought him time but you can’t get 2 pts from WH, Villa, Brentford, and Forest and expect to survive. The financial hit from going down is too high to give third chances.
Johnnyrazor,
do you know what Hyperbole is?
hahahah…..”exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally”
what is exaggerated? Mckennie, Adams and Aaronson would have come to Leeds anyway without Marsch? hahahaha, Marsch is the only reason they are there.
You say “Wes was hardly heart broken in his comments” but then contradict yourself by saying “Wes was disappointed but he’s a pro he knew what he was getting into…” lol, which is it? What NEW player do you know is dumb enough to PUBLICLY express his disappointment on the firing of a coach (which is like highlighting his discontent with the club ALREADY…. which would crucify his image with the fans) that the club didn’t like?? Who?
Then you said “Not all strikers want to do the running required to fit Jesse’s system”. Hahaha, Marsch got the job because of his style of play (high press). “Bamford had expressed frustration at having to constantly take on both CBs without other runners.” Bamford sucks and shouldn’t even be in the EPL…..a Striker complaining about taking on CBs??? Haha, he cant take on CB because he is too slow, can’t dribbled past a cone, has no stamina, not good in the air and clearly not EPL CF material .
Again, Marsch got the job because of his style of play (high press) and the vision he had for the club……yet he wasn’t given a chance. He took over Bielsa’s team and when he finally started to construct his team they fire him. He got the players he wanted and before he could get things moving they fired him, But lets see what happens to them now. Andoni Iraola turned them down……Arne Slot turned them down……Mauricio Pochettino turned them down……. Carlos Corberan turned them down…..Alfred Schreuder turned them down. The financial hit from going down is too high to give third chances but with this debacle they might have just sealed their fate
Sorry Bizzy, no one gets more time than Jesse got. He brought in plenty of players in the summer. Lampard, Gerard, Lage, O’Neill, Tuchel all sent packing with teams getting results similar to Leeds. Bamford did have 17g just two years ago so he might know a thing or two about EPL football.
If Leeds are looking at helping their offensive output, Weston should be pushed forward and used in a box to box role.
Doing the double pivot with Tyler is fine but it’s wasting Weston, especially once Roca is healthy.
Obviously, they should have fired Jesse a while ago or not at all, which means, the leadership was very divided on the decision.
Maybe that’s why they see all these promising managerial prospects turning them down. Yeah an EPL job is an attraction and Leeds is a “big club” but they play basically the Bielsa way still and that isn’t something everyone can coach. That’s probably why Hassenhutl, with his Red Bull DNA is tempting.
As for this Americans abroad looking out for each other, the 49er’s are looking to buy Leeds and they want to buy an EPL club not a Championship club. So you can say that pressure from potential future owners , who are American, got Jesse fired.
It would be such a great narrative though if Jesse gets the Southampton job and Hassenhutl gets the Leeds job.
Imagine them going down to the last game of the season facing a winner take all scenario.
Regardless, it’s all good.
No one wants to go to Leeds and get relegated
Adams looks to me like the first name you put on the lineup sheet every week. Automatic starter. A bigger/richer club may come calling this summer.