Weston McKennie is starting to have a say in most of Juventus’ goals this winter.
McKennie helped set up Juventus’ winning goal on Saturday in a 2-0 Serie A victory over Pisa. The American midfielder’s cross in the 73rd minute turned into an Arturo Calabresi own goal, giving Luciano Spalletti’s squad a breakthrough tally on the road.
Although it didn’t go down in the stat-sheet as an assist for McKennie, he will surely take pleasure in setting up the goal.
Kenan Yildiz added an insurance goal in second-half stoppage time, helping the Bianconeri move up to third place in the league standings.
McKennie logged a full 90 minutes from his wingback position, leading all players in duels won (8) and tackles completed (5). He also made four defensive clearances and drew one foul.
The U.S. men’s national team midfielder has now made 27 appearances in all competitions.
Juventus will next host Lecce at home on January 3, seeking to claim its fifth-straight win.
Weston is pioneering a new position in Italy’s Calcio …
He’s always on the sheet as a RWB but he’s constantly forward as a RAM. For a “wing” player he’s rarely there. Almost always playing on the right seam and forward to the box. Often drifting left and combining before finding his way forward inline with the right post or more centrally.
So FRFR, what position does he actually play. RWAM?
It doesn’t matter.
What matters is he plays well and the manager is happy with what he is doing.
You’d be hard pressed to nail down exactly where Clint Dempsey played. LW? LMF? RM? False 9? #10? People stopped worrying about nailing him down. They just wanted him out there.
Same thing with Weston.
Spalletti is the same guy who won 11 straight games with Roma playing a 4-6-0 formation. He likes quality, versatile players like Weston who are capable of doing what he needs them to do. You can call Weston whatever you want as long as he plays.