AC Milan are looking for options to strengthen the midfield without spending a fortune, and this has led them to Weston McKennie.
According to Calciomercato.com, McKennie’s future at Juventus increasingly hinges on Luciano Spalletti’s. His central role in the Bianconeri’s plans since the arrival of the Italian coach could be a decisive factor in terms of his contract renewal.
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Since his arrival at Juve, Spalletti has restored McKennie to a starring role. From a simple ‘wild card’ before, the USA international has now become a key pillar. Since the match against Cremonese, the first of the Spalletti era, McKennie has started every game and has only been subbed off three times.
Added to this is his attacking contribution, which has been anything but small: two goals in the league and three in the Champions League, often in key moments. Spalletti has used him everywhere, even including him in the attack.
It’s no coincidence that, post-match after the win over Napoli, the coach had some very strong words for his midfielder: “McKennie is like a perfect central striker. He fights, he’s strong in the air, he has impressive jumping ability, and he makes decisions that get results. He would be an ideal striker.”
Renewal or rival?
John McKennie, the player’s father, also underlined this, taking to social media to highlight his son’s moment: “I can say I haven’t seen Wes this happy in a long time. The coach has definitely made the difference.”
These words sound like confirmation of Spalletti’s impact, but could also be interpreted as a clue regarding the transfer market. McKennie’s contract expires in June, and negotiations for a renewal are currently on hold.
Both the club and the player are keen to continue working together, but an agreement hasn’t been reached yet. Juventus would like to speed things up, especially since several clubs are interested in signing the American on a free transfer.
In Italy, among the admirers are Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan (for whom it would be a reunion) and Roma, who conducted an enquiry last summer. The MLS also remains in the background, with McKennie possibly considering a return to the United States after next summer’s ‘home’ World Cup.
Much, if not everything, will depend on Spalletti. Never before has McKennie felt so central, valued and decisive, so the Juve management have some decisions to make.
He’s like an upgraded Musah. A utility player like John O’Shea
Good comparison but Weston can pass and shoot but he is dreadful at carrying the ball and dribbling is poor.
Shouldn’t be thinking about Weston when Pulisic still hasn’t signed an extension. When Pulisic’s contract is up at Milan so is Messi’s at inter Miami. Miami will be looking for a draw for American soccer fans and no one is better than Pulisic. Pulisic’s family now lives in Miami and they will pay him more than Milan will. Pulisic is getting to that age where he will want to start a family and his real girlfriend is state side so it’s looking like he could be coming home.
1. Milan has a unilateral clause to extend the contract to 2028; 2. Players have always started families when they needed to wherever they were; 3. If Inter Miami wants to sign him, they can start with an offer of 60M this summer and then we’ll see. Otherwise they can sign McKennie on a free, it seems.
1. Allegri is playing him out of position and benched him last match 2. He’d get paid more by Miami 3. He’d be around his family and friends which are important to him 4. Yes players start families wherever but Pulisic is a small town kid and I don’t see him raising kids outside the US. Being from an EU country and having kids is very different from being from the US and having kids in other countries. Look at how even Theo’s partner wants to return to Italy it’s a major factor. If Milan keep this Allegri system it doesn’t fit Pulisic’s style or for that matter even Leão’s. Bro read the tea leaves the direction we are going doesn’t support Pulisic’s play style and he can make more money playing at home. You’d have to be dumb not to do that.
All that could be exactly what he’s thinking but at the same time he’s in his prime and he might want to do more in Europe. He loves playing UCL and he’s been awesome the past 3 years. I find it hard to believe he will want to play in the MLS this early. Eventually yes but not for another 5 or 6 years. But none of us know what his thoughts are so who knows.
So you think he’ll want a transfer?
He might. I think he would prefer to stay at Milan as he loves it there and the fans love him. He has stated how happy he is there so the only way I see him leaving is if Allegri keeps benching him and using him as a “super sub”. Lots of posters say he doesn’t fit the system but I believe he fits it well and enjoys playing as a second striker behind a true 9. He’s the leading scorer on the team and has looked really good when playing with a true 9(minus the rare misses recently).
I get that but if we bring in a true 9 Leão is going to be the second striker. I think a lot depends on what Modrić does. If Modrić leaves and we sign Gila and what looks like Ake I can see us moving to a 4231 giving Leão, Pulisic and for matter Nkunku their preferred positions. We could then put Jashari and Ricci in a double pivot and options at the back four. I guess we watch and see. I know United is out to sign Leão so time will tell.
You took the words out of my mouth, Pulicis renewing is more like 50/50 right now, if not even less. His renewal should be priority.
He won’t want to renew playing Allegri ball and being a sub. Nor, will ACM want to extend him and give him a rainse. I wouldn’t either because he doesn’t fit at ACM. They’ll make him the ‘bad guy’ when he requests a transer.
” I wouldn’t either because he doesn’t fit at ACM.”
LOL. One of the top3 goal contributers in the league “doesn’t fit ACM”. Sure, if the aim is to finish 8th then I agree, we don’t have a place for such a player.
If you say he can’t adapt to any role in the 4-5 most advanced roles in a football team, you clearly haven’t watched him play. 🙂
I’ve watched him. His goals are mainly scrappy ones. Here’s the real question- when ACM get their striker, who’s playing next to him. Leão. Pulisic will get some time, but as a sub if at all in big games.
“His goals are mainly scrappy ones. ”
Okay then. Have you ever heard of Filippo Inzaghi? Google him if you don’t. He’s a legend. He was the master of “scrappy goals”. Scrappy goal is still a goal. No one gives a fck how the winning goals came – it’s the end result what counts. Kind of like Leao’s dribbles. He can do 100 successful dribbles on the sideline but if the end-product isn’t there, no one should give a fck (although the fanbois go nuts even when his dribble end up with a cross to the nearest opponent). 🤷♂️
McKennie >>> RLC…
Mckennie ever since he’s been on Juventus has always had one foot out the door, only tk stay and be their best performer. Constantly scoring, moving the ball. Under rated player and I would gladly take him
That’s because Juve wants him to leave when they get a new manager who then figures out he can play. Also, Juve had a verbal deal with him that they went back on.
Why are they after another CM? Although if we ever finally do switch to a 433 Allegri will no doubt play him at RW instead of Pulisic for “balance”
McKennie can play….
6
8
10
RWB
LWB
RB
LB
He has even played striker and fullback.
That makes all of the positions on the pitch., other than goalie Is he a 10??? No, but he is a 7 almost every time. And not only does he play multiple positions during a season, but he will play multiple positions during a game.
He moves well without the ball and is a very creative passer. Plus he has defensive bite and grinta, generally he plays hard the entire game.. On the flip side he has shown a tendency to show up to the beginning of the seasons out of shape. and like someone said earlier, he is not a classic dribbler of the ball.