Weston McKennie is enjoying life at Juventus in any position, the 27-year-old has found a new lease of life under coach Luciano Spalletti's tactical radical approach. Since the start of 2026, McKennie has scored four times in just eight games and become one of Juve's most important players.
Spalletti's philosophy is centered around quick recognition of space left by opponents and swift strikes at the right moment. McKennie perfectly embodies this, having played every position on the field - from left back to striker. The American utility man has been used predominantly on the right side, where he can drift inside, get in between lines and push up as a secondary striker.
The partnership between Spalletti and McKennie has yielded remarkable results for Juventus. With McKennie at the heart of everything, Juve produced one of their best performances this season against Parma, winning 4-1. Coach Spalletti praises McKennie's attributes - his fight, strength in the air, and ability to make decisions.
However, questions remain about McKennie's World Cup selection. US coach Gregg Berhalter omitted him from friendlies in September and November last year, citing familiarity with his game. Mauricio Pochettino, on the other hand, seems uncertain about McKennie's suitability for deep-lying midfield roles, potentially pushing him forward.
Despite these doubts, McKennie has consistently proven himself at Juventus and beyond. With Spalletti's guidance, the American midfielder is flourishing and looking to sign a new contract with Juve. As he continues to deliver crucial performances, it remains to be seen if Pochettino will ultimately get the chance to prove his doubters wrong.
Spalletti's philosophy is centered around quick recognition of space left by opponents and swift strikes at the right moment. McKennie perfectly embodies this, having played every position on the field - from left back to striker. The American utility man has been used predominantly on the right side, where he can drift inside, get in between lines and push up as a secondary striker.
The partnership between Spalletti and McKennie has yielded remarkable results for Juventus. With McKennie at the heart of everything, Juve produced one of their best performances this season against Parma, winning 4-1. Coach Spalletti praises McKennie's attributes - his fight, strength in the air, and ability to make decisions.
However, questions remain about McKennie's World Cup selection. US coach Gregg Berhalter omitted him from friendlies in September and November last year, citing familiarity with his game. Mauricio Pochettino, on the other hand, seems uncertain about McKennie's suitability for deep-lying midfield roles, potentially pushing him forward.
Despite these doubts, McKennie has consistently proven himself at Juventus and beyond. With Spalletti's guidance, the American midfielder is flourishing and looking to sign a new contract with Juve. As he continues to deliver crucial performances, it remains to be seen if Pochettino will ultimately get the chance to prove his doubters wrong.