Juventus center midfielder Weston McKennie can fill a major hole with what he brings to the table.
Although Weston McKennie was not a regular starter for Schalke before joining Juventus on loan, the young American center midfielder has a world of untapped potential that Andrea Pirlo can unlock as the Bianconeri’s manager.
When watching McKennie, what immediately stands out is his intensity. There are so many players, such as Juve’s own Rodrigo Bentancur, who never stop running and never stop trying to win the ball for their team. The difference with McKennie is that he’s both a magnet to the ball defensively and a tireless dribbler with the ball who is willing and able to carry the ball into the final third.
McKennie was used in so many different positions in Gelsenkirchen. Not only did he play everywhere in the Schalke midfield, but he also played at right back and even center back. His versatility was a plus for the team but not necessarily for him. Schalke were disrespectful to one of their top prospects by not giving him a chance to flourish in midfield in a set position, specifically an attacking one.
Juventus need someone like McKennie to spark the attack. Arthur Melo is a good ball-carrying midfielder with defensive qualities. Bentancur is a great defensive presence. Adrien Rabiot can be a top, top midfielder in Serie A.
Weston McKennie fits Andrea Pirlo’s brand of football at Juventus
But McKennie can be the missing piece. His creativity and intelligence in the attacking third were severely underestimated by Schalke. He had glimpses of attacking brilliance, such as his solo goal against TSG Hoffenheim.
McKennie showed his traits in a 5-0 win over Novara in a friendly match. The Juventini were impressed by how much ground McKennie covered, especially when he was starting or combining in quick counterattacks.
Juventus under Pirlo will play exciting, expansive attacking football as compared to the more cowardly brand of football employed by Maurizio Sarri’s Juve and Schalke in the Ruckrunde. Meaning, McKennie, with his quick-thinking and feel for space, can thrive.
McKennie’s all-around work, potentially elite defensive qualities, and emerging creativity make him a great piece of the midfield for the Bianconeri. Rabiot is a creative player, Arthur is a foundational piece for starting attacks, and Bentancur is the industrious one. But McKennie is a little bit of everything and the kind of player every manager begs to have in their squad from an effort and intensity perspective.
In so many ways, this young player fits exactly what Juve needed. He can become a permanent fixutre for the Bianconeri after the 2020-2021 season ends and his purchase option kicks in.