From Juventus Outcast To Vital Champions League Goals

Having spent all summer trying to move on from Weston McKennie, Juventus will be thankful they failed as the US international helped them to a crucial UEFA Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven.

Opening the scoring with a powerful effort from outside the box, McKennie underlined just how important he has become to Thigao Motta after it initially appeared he would never play for the new Juve boss.

Indeed, last summer saw the Bianconeri attempt to sell McKennie to Aston Villa, making it clear that he was not part of their plans going forward, something that had actually been the case for quite some time.

How Weston McKennie became a Juventus outcast

McKennie had arrived in Turin amid much fanfare back in August 2020, initially on a year-long loan from Schalke 04. Juve paid €4.5 million ($4.67 million) for that switch, with the deal including an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season set at €18.5 million ($19.19 million) plus a potential further €7 million ($7.26 million) in bonuses.

He settled quickly and found regular playing time in Andrea Pirlo’s side, netting a sensational strike at Camp Nou as the Bianconeri recorded a 3-0 rout of Barcelona. McKennie was also part of the starting XI, once again a key figure as the revamped side secured the Coppa Italia with victory over Atalanta in the final.

Pirlo was of course replaced after one season as Allegri was brought back to the bench, and as 2021/22 got underway, McKennie had continued to show his importance to the side. A foot injury in February would rule him out for the rest of that campaign however, and it was here that his role would begin to diminish.

Marginalised upon his return, the midfielder was sent on loan to Leeds United in January 2023 and made it clear he was not wanted the next summer to the point the club excluded him from their pre-season tour of the USA.

Winning over Juventus boss Thiago Motta

Attempts to sell him then failed, only for Allegri to then start McKennie in no fewer than 29 Serie A matches as he made a total of 38 appearances in all competitions. This past summer saw Juve replace Allegri with Thigao Motta, and a midfield revolution appeared key to transforming the team for the new Coach.

Talks over a contract extension were halted and the 26-year-old was left sidelined, before initially being included as part of the package to bring Douglas Luiz to Juve. McKennie rejected that option and then rebuffed other opportunities to move on, insisting he would continue to fight for his place in the side.

Eventually, Motta was convinced and has utilised McKennie in a variety of roles as the former Schalke man proved to be a versatile and useful member of the squad. Filling in at pretty much every position outside of goalkeeper and central defender, he has now started each of the last nine league games.

How McKennie helped Juventus beat PSV

All of which brings us to last night, and a Champions League Playoff tie with PSV. McKennie was deployed in a no.10 role and shone once again, netting that excellent opening goal and turning in a fine all-round performance.

According to WhoScored.com, he ended the night having created three clear scoring opportunities for his team-mates as well as contributing defensively with one tackle, one clearance and blocking one shot by a PSV player.

“It was a good goal, but I think I scored a better one against Barcelona in 2020,” McKennie said during a post-match interview with Sky Italia. “I was calm, because last week in training I scored lots of goals in the training drills, so I felt pretty confident, even if it doesn’t count to score there. It was a bit of luck because I assumed I’d hit someone in the box.

“The important thing isn’t scoring a goal or providing an assist, but helping the team to get the victory.”

He certainly did that, and McKennie also drew praise from Thiago Motta. “Weston is special, he’s a great player and a great guy,” the Coach said at his post-match press conference.

“He has played as a full-back, holding midfielder, attacking midfielder and winger. He’s a top-level player. When I say that a top-level player can play everywhere, it’s because I know what I’m talking about. I’ve been in football for many years.

“Weston plays everywhere, and he has to be on the field. It’s hard for me to leave him out. Maybe not as a goalkeeper, but in every other position, it’s difficult to put him on the bench. That’s what being a top-level player means.”

Juventus will hope Weston McKennie continue his good form against bitter rivals Inter this weekend, before they travel to Eindhoven to finish the job against PSV next week.