Weston McKennie Set To Join Juventus
Young American Weston McKennie looks to be well on his way to donning white and black stripes very soon.
🛬 @WMckennie touches down in Turin! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/3L9pxOWMG7
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) August 27, 2020
This is a third American star to join a top flight European side recently, with Pulisic joining Chelsea and Gio Renya joining Borussia Dortmund.
What Has He Done So Far
In his short career, McKennie has sparkled. He has shined enough that he has worked his way up from the bench on to one of the best football clubs on the planet in a fairly short time.
He has been a fixture on the USMNT for a while now, and played well this season for Bundesliga side Schalke. Scoring 3 goals while flying all over the pitch. He has been on the German side since 2016.
Ever athletic, Weston flies all over the pitch and has a penchant for making the right play at the right time.
His energy should bring a welcome spark to clinicians all around him on Juve.
What Can We Expect?
McKennie appears set to feature somewhat prominently for the Italian juggernaut.
Coming over on a season long loan, with an eye toward signing, there are incentives for the 21 year old to play.
New manager Pirlo seemed keen on the midfield player, and a play time incentive of 60% of game time seems to be very much in play.
Pulisic has been a beacon of men’s American soccer on the international stage for a long time, so it’s nice to see another player stepping into the spotlight.
With Ronaldo up front and talent abound, there should be plenty of room for McKennie to shine, should he be up to the task.
Final Thoughts
This signing is a great look for American football.
Between Pulisic looking great, Weston now signing for a top club, and 17 year old Gio at maybe the best developmental team (and still an elite side) in Europe, America looks set up for future success.
The United States has never had this many young players part of the truly elite clubs in Europe.
This is a great sign of some considerable talent finally making it out of America’s soccer program.
The best, it seems, is yet to come from these young Americans.
-Brent Buckley (@bigbucksbuckley on twitter)