Weston McKennie began the summer as a potential transfer target for multiple European clubs but now looks reportedly set to reclaim his spot in the Juventus squad this season.
Juventus is considering keeping McKennie for the Serie A season after the American held a meeting with manager Thiago Motta, Italian outlets Gazzetta Dello Sport and Football Italia reported Friday. The Old Lady opens their 2024-25 league campaign on Monday against newly promoted Como.
McKennie, 25, was a key player for Juventus last season, en route to a Coppa Italia triumph in May. The U.S. men’s national team midfielder registered 10 assists in 37 combined appearances in Massimiliano Allegri’s squad but watched as the club parted ways with Allegri at the end of the season.
After originally breaking into Europe with then-Bundesliga side Schalke, McKennie has accumulated 134 for the Old Lady, scoring 13 goals and adding 15 assists. He’s won three trophies in Turin including two during the 2020-21 campaign.
McKennie is heading into the final 10 months of his Juventus contract and previously has been linked with Aston Villa, Tottenham, Fiorentina, AC Milan, and Inter Miami.
Motta, who logged over 580 appearances as a player, retired in 2018 before beginning his coaching career with PSG’s Under-19 squad. He has since managed Genoa, Spezia, and Bologna before moving to Juventus this summer.
A healthy and confident McKennie could be a major boost to a Juventus squad returning to UEFA Champions League play this September. The Old Lady will also be seeking their first Scudetto since 2020.
Wes is hardly the first American to go through this. Fulham was never better than a little better than mid-table, yet Clint Dempsey had to fight almost every year to play. It seemed like every time they changed managers he began the season on the bench. One of my favorite moments in all of US soccer occurred early one season after Mark Hughes had taken over. He took Clint out of the game early in the second half and the crowd began chanting, “You Don’t Know What You’re Doing.” And, as per usual, by the end of the season Dempsey was probably their most valuable player.
Dude! I had just gotten into club soccer then. I remember thinking, “well this is democratizing the fan experience”. Bro, I was HOOKED!
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One of my favorite goals is still Deuce’s smash and grab header (I think against Liverpool) to keep Fulham up. The crowd chanted USA USA USA! It was a moment. Wow, I love this game.
LOL
I hate this…….don’t like it at all. Players like McKennie and Gio (especially Weston) are at that critical age / stage of development where they need a stable environment to grow and Excel. When you are not in the plans of the club originally, it means your time, growth and development with them is in question and limited. It’s the same thing with Reyna. First, the club comes out publicly that they don’t want him and are looking for offers……then Somehow, somewhere, they just decide to keep him because of reasons not associated with his skill and abilities, like they are waiting to get rid of him on their own terms for maximum profit. I don’t like it, at all.
“where they need a stable environment to grow and Excel.”
Weston and Gio are professional athletes. Their environment is as stable as they can make it. Which means it is up to them.
“It’s the same thing with Reyna. First, the club comes out publicly that they don’t want him and are looking for offers……then Somehow, somewhere, they just decide to keep him because of reasons not associated with his skill and abilities, like they are waiting to get rid of him on their own terms for maximum profit.”
“not associated with his skill and abilities, ”
Not true. It is all about his skills and abilities.
If Gio had performed like Jude Bellingham, they would not treat him like this. The fact that his performance has not been what BVB hoped for leads to him getting treated this poorly. Gio is a commodity owned by BVB. If he wants better treatment, he needs to perform better or leave.
😂 Wes.
I came to say the same thing
“Back then you didn’t want me. Now I’m hot, you all up on me.”
hahaha. Love it. Just like last year. And hopefully just like last year, he’ll stick with the team and have another awesome season. Lets go Weston!!!