Juventus should not be selling Weston McKennie this summer
Following the long-awaited confirmation of Manuel Locatelli’s arrival, Juventini were readying themselves for a quiet end to the summer transfer window.
The club’s troubled finances, frustratingly manifested throughout the pursuit of their priority target, means it’s pretty unrealistic to expect much more in terms of incomings this summer. Right?
Well, that is, of course, should there be no outgoings.
Aaron Ramsey’s been heavily linked with a move away but is keen to prove himself to Massimiliano Allegri, while Daniele Rugani could still depart permanently. Youngsters like Filippo Ranocchia, Nicolo Fagioli and Radu Dragusin, meanwhile, are all touted with moving on temporarily.
A name we certainly didn’t expect to be popping up on the Twitter timelines of reliable Italian reporters was Weston McKennie. But on Wednesday night, Gianluca Di Marzio dropped a bombshell. The Sky Italia reporter understands that Juventus would be open to offers for the American despite him only officially joining the club permanently earlier this summer. He isn’t considered “non-transferable” and the Bianconeri are said to be assessing several offers they’ve received from abroad.
There are a few issues I have with Juventus’ stance.
McKennie’s invaluable profile
While there’s no denying that the American faded somewhat during the second half of last season, he’d shown enough promise during the first half of 2020/21 for Juventus to trigger the buyout clause in his loan contract.
The Texan-born midfielder performed various functions in Andrea Pirlo’s flexible system. After starting out in double pivot, McKennie excelled when moved higher upfield. Here, he played as a space interpreter between the lines when his side had the ball and a diligent wide midfielder out of possession. He’d end the campaign with a respectable seven Serie A goal contributions and despite his eventual demise in influence, McKennie remained a perpetual energy source for an often stale and predictable Bianconeri.
No player averaged more pressures per 90 minutes than the afro-donning Texan (21.9) for Juventus last season, while only Adrien Rabiot (4.01) and Rodrigo Bentancur (4.75) averaged more combined tackles and interceptions than McKennie (3.60) per 90.
The 22-year-old’s ability to influence a game without the ball was best displayed in Juventus’ Coppa Italia triumph over Atalanta. Returning to Pirlo’s XI, McKennie, playing as a right-midfielder, was key in a fine pressing effort from the Bianconeri and was crucial in stifling an idiosyncratic attacking juggernaut.
Could be great under Allegri
After scoring in Juventus’ pre-season opener against Cesena, Allegri shouted from the sidelines: “You’ve got to score 10 goals this season!”. It appeared that this would be the mere start of a prosperous relationship between the pair. But, as pre-season wore on, the hype around the American gradually dissipated. He earned substitute appearances in the defeat to Barcelona and victory over Atalanta, and it seems like he may not be in Allegri’s favoured XI to start the season.
Nevertheless, a slot in the midfield is certainly up for grabs. In the likely 4-3-3 the returning boss is set to deploy, Locatelli is expected to be the regista, while Bentancur is a shoo-in as one of the number eights. Thus, McKennie, Rabiot, Ramsey and Federico Bernardeschi are competing for the other spot. Arthur Melo will probably provide cover for Locatelli at the base of midfield when he returns from injury.
A midfield comprising of Locatelli, Bentancur and McKennie is one that I’d love to see. It’s so well-balanced: Locatell circulates and progresses possession, Bentancur harries and offers a threat in transition, while Duracell bunny McKennie provides so much out of possession and boasts a threat in the attacking third.
How would Juve re-invest?
My main qualm in this freshly emerging McKennie debacle is how Juventus will likely re-invest the funds from the American’s sale. A replacement will be necessary, but we all know who that’d be.
Miralem Pjanic: the declining Bosnian who’ll be no more than Locatelli’s backup dancer should he make the move he’s so desperate to make. My feelings on bringing the once-great regista back to the club have already been documented.
Swapping the 22-year-old McKennie for 31-year-old Pjanic would be incredibly myopic and represents a total relapse in the club’s transfer policy. Giving up on a player like McKennie, with his rare profile and all, would be so naive. Following a bright debut season as part of a dysfunctional outfit, the American’s value could sky-rocket should he hit the ground running under Allegri.
However, should Juve use the money acquired from a potential McKennie sale – let’s say they accept an offer of €30-35m from one lucky European club – to fund a move for Monaco starlet Aurélien Tchouaméni, previously considered an alternative for Locatelli, then I’d be a little more open to the move. The young Frenchman is a superstar in the making, but will cost the club a pretty penny if they were to make a move late in the transfer window, thus rendering a move unlikely.
Just keep Weston, guys. Use your noddle.