Weston McKennie is available for Juventus’ Serie A opener on Monday night and manager Thiago Motta has high praise for the American midfielder.
McKennie, who was linked throughout the summer with a potential move away from the Bianconeri, is coming off a sensational 2023-24 season for Juventus. The U.S. men’s national team midfielder registered 10 assists in 37 combined appearances in Massimiliano Allegri’s squad, helping the squad win the Coppa Italia last May.
However, following Allegri’s departure and Motta’s arrival, McKennie was linked with several European clubs, as well as MLS’ Inter Miami. No transfer agreement was reached meaning McKennie looks set to stay in Turin for the final season of his current contract, which could provide a major boost to the Juventus squad.
Motta could call on McKennie in his first starting lineup as Juventus boss on Monday vs. Como, hinting that the squad is a bit thin for a season opener.
“McKennie is a valuable player for our needs. Tomorrow, we have 19 players available, and only 11 can play,” Motta said at his pre-match press conference on Sunday.
Another USMNT star that could get the starting nod on Monday is Timothy Weah, who heads into his second season with the Bianconeri. Weah rotated with McKennie on multiple occasions last season, scoring one goal and adding two assists in 35 combined appearances.
The 24-year-old is expected to play another key role for Juventus this year and Motta believes he is on the way upward in his career as a whole.
“Weah can still improve in everything, but he is predisposed to do it,” said Motta. “I am not surprised. I knew him when he was very young, and now he is the right age to do well. Surely, he will help the team.”
Juventus has won four of its five all-time matches against Como.
Weston dressed but was an unused sub versus Como today. Weah got the start and scored in first half stoppage time.
so valuable he’s sitting hmm
put differently, when a coach who says a dude is surplus, then doesn’t play him opening day, also says, “he’s valuable,” you should ask in what context. they may mean to the business side. they may be under orders that the transfer offers aren’t high enough so prepare for him maybe staying this fall. “valuable” is then a doubly ironic choice of word to describe the situation, as it seems other teams don’t value him as much, and there is a contradiction between the team’s high valuation and his benching.
Whatever their plans or motive has been, their posture has been absurd and served no one. They’ve both undermined and devalued their asset and fractured his position within the team. But Wes has certainly been through this before and hopefully can maintain his devil may care attitude, go to work and once again make himself indispensable to the team / undermine their narrative on the field.
“Tomorrow, we have 19 players available, and only 11 can play,”
This is one of the most quoted lines across all articles I’ve found regarding this situation with McKennie. Does anyone else think it’s hysterical? I mean what the heck does that even mean. Imagine Gregg being asked about Reyna during the WC and that was his answer. Huh???
I wonder if they gave McKennie’s number away again. I guess 16 isn’t as popular as 14. Maybe he’ll got lucky.
“First of all, McKennie is a useful and functional player for our needs,”
More high praise from Motta – lol
Hypocrisy at its finest. Really??? hmmm lets see……
“Weston McKennie has reported for pre-season training at Juventus as the midfielder waits for a club to sign him.
Juventus has informed him that he is not part of their plans for the new season. The midfielder was included in Juve’s offer to sign Douglas Luiz.
He declined to move unless certain conditions were met, and Juve replaced him with Enzo Barrenechea.
The Bianconeri have since signed two new midfielders, and at least one more is expected to join them before the transfer window closes.
Thiago Motta has travelled with most of the players who are still in his plans, and McKennie is technically out of Juve’s project now.”………July 25, 2024 – 3:00 pm
NOW all of a sudden, he is a valuable player to Juventus?? Until they can sell him for a profit and get what they want out of him???? Wow……
Motta did not need to light a fire under Weston.
They couldn’t get the money they wanted for Weston. Which meant buying his replacement was much tougher.
If you can’t sell your second car for the money you want, you might as well give it to your daughter who needs it for college.
Think of Weston as Juve’s old Camry.
It makes sense to make use of him.
I think Mottas plan was to light a fire under Mckennie. He was Juevntus best midfielder last season.
Motta did not need to light a fire under Weston.
They couldn’t get the money they wanted for Weston. Which meant buying his replacement was much tougher.
If you can’t sell your second car for the money you want, you might as well give it to your daughter who needs it for college.
Think of Weston as Juve’s old Camry.
It makes sense to make use of him.
Maybe maybe not. Could be as you say.
Juve is mad he wanted more money. He was there best midfielder last year. They wanted him to sign a contract he felt was a low ball number. I Don’t blame him.
To call him a used up Camry is just ridiculous.
The hate towards our players astonishes me sometimes.
2tone,
“The hate towards our players astonishes me sometimes.”
What hate? As soon as Juve figured out they needed him he was back in and they even said all kinds of nice things about him and all that jazz.
You are easily astonished. No one said anything about Weston’s contract demands. He’s entitled to ask for what he thinks he’s worth and Juve and Aston Villa or whoever are entitled to say no thanks and look elsewhere if they want. That’s none of our business.
Used Camrys are great cars, high resale value and they last forever.
Is he saying he value’s Weston or that he’s one of the few healthy players they have?
What difference does it make?
As long as he plays like his hair is on fire Weston will be okay.
That’s how it should be.
As long as its his hair on fire and not his second helping of Cherries Jubilee.