Weston McKennie had a mixed time at Leeds United during the second half of the 2021/22 season.
While the Whites ended up being relegated from the Premier League, the American resurrected his career and played every game after joining.
At that point, he was expected to leave Juventus soon and that was the expectation even in the summer of 2024. The midfielder has impressed so much that he became an important of Juve’s first team under Thiago Motta and is likely to sign a new deal.
Pundit Gianni Balzarini has now spoken about the US international’s journey and has hailed him for how he changed his career’s direction at Leeds United and recovered his career.
He spoke on his Youtube channel, as relayed by Tuttomercatoweb: “McKennie who earns €2.5m, will tie himself to Juve until 2028 with a contract of €3m net per year. I say that this is a boy who deserves this confirmation, this renewal.
“He has twice been through the ordeal of being left out of the squad or leaving the project, in one case he even went to Leeds on loan, came back and won his place back.
“I think that a boy like this should only be celebrated for what he has shown, for what he will be able to show, he will do it or it will be done later, but for what he has shown, for his versatility, for putting himself at the service of this team, the so-called arrogant American McKennie, guys, has not been seen at Juve.”
Praising McKennie’s versatility further, Balzarini said: “Instead, we have seen a player with the attributes, with the attachment to this shirt and therefore it is right that he deserves new chances in the future, at least until 2028, then we will see on paper obviously.”
The 26-year-old has played in midfield, wide, upfront, at full-back and in attacking midfield for Juventus and has become a versatile option.
Qualities like that were also witnessed at Leeds United, where McKennie played in midfield and also on the flanks. He also showcased these qualities at Schalke.
It definitely seems as if his value is being recognised at the highest level and if not for his stint at Elland Road in the 2022/23 season, things could have been very different for the versatile star.
