Juventus: Andrea Pirlo has a sensible critique for Weston McKennie

Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie has been a huge hit in Serie A since joining as a loanee from Schalke, and Juventini have every reason to believe that the Bianconeri will purchase him permanently from the Bundesliga’s cash-strapped relegation candidates.

That said, there are areas McKennie can improve upon, which is the case for every 22-year-old on the planet, even those heralded by many as world-class players.

Manager Andrea Pirlo recently pointed out one way McKennie can step up his game, and it an area Pirlo knows well as one of the most decorated registas in football history. And that’s technique, which is vital for a starting Serie A midfielder on a top-four side.

Here is the quote from Pirlo, via Football-Italia.net:

“He is a humble guy who always wants to improve, especially on a technical level. He needs to improve when he receives the ball, but he knows this is only a starting point.”

Weston McKennie has contributed the most goals in Juventus’ midfield

To be honest, Weston McKennie has above-average technical quality and does not look out of place at Juventus. In fact, he has been their best midfielder today, even above the more hyped signing Arthur Melo. Both players have shown the quality necessary to be key players for the Bianconeri in the next several years.

McKennie has scored three goals with two assists in the 2020-2021 Serie A season thus far and is fourth on the team in goals per 90 minutes. But, per WhoScored.com, there are more than 10 players who have a higher accuracy percentage than McKennie on Juventus. Likewise, he is outside the top 10 in dribbles completed per game.

So it’s true what Pirlo says. Whereas McKennie was a level above the rest of many of the players at Schalke in technique, Juventus is a step up. And McKennie still has to bridge the gap on the ball. That should improve with time, especially with Pirlo at the helm.

He clearly rates the American midfielder and knows full well that McKennie has the intelligence and work-rate to be a good player for Juventus. McKennie has used those traits to help Juve both defensively and in the goals department this season.