Paratici thinks Spurs target Weston McKennie is a superstar

[mawspurs]

Alasdair Gold has told his YouTube channel that Fabio Paratici thinks that Weston McKennie is a superstar and did not rule Tottenham Hotspur making a future move for the midfielder.

McKennie is attracting attention after a superb display for the USMNT in their World Cup stalemate with England at the World Cup on Friday.

Source: The Boot Room

 

[TPdYID]

Would never dream about questioning the observational skills of a 'Sporting Director' when it comes to identifying talent, but as this is a forum i'll add my two-pence...

McKennie in the few short times I've seen him play looks fairly reliable but not a player who I believe will take us to the next level (consistent top 3/4).

Doesn't strike me as a signing who will be an obvious starter and from the games I've watched doesn't look much of an upgrade on any of our current crop of midfielders. Fully appreciate it's a squad game, bla bla bla but we need to be targeting a midfielder with a different skill-set to what we already have imo.

Side note:- I don't need reminding about Deki and Bentancur being 'underwhelming' signings (in most peoples eyes) at the time. This argument has died a death, been buried and then dug up countless times already.

 

[Tucker]

Would never dream about questioning the observational skills of a 'Sporting Director' when it comes to identifying talent, but as this is a forum i'll add my two-pence...

McKennie in the few short times I've seen him play looks fairly reliable but not a player who I believe will take us to the next level (consistent top 3/4).

Doesn't strike me as a signing who will be an obvious starter and from the games I've watched doesn't look much of an upgrade on any of our current crop of midfielders. Fully appreciate it's a squad game, bla bla bla but we need to be targeting a midfielder with a different skill-set to what we already have imo.

Side note:- I don't need reminding about Deki and Bentancur being 'underwhelming' signings (in most peoples eyes) at the time. This argument has died a death, been buried and then dug up countless times already.

Yeah this is my feeling on it really. But I’m happy enough to trust Paratici and Conte if they think he’s ready to explode.

 

[hero]

I hope he can play RWB

 

[Japhet]

Not what we need at all right now imo. Bissouma should be playing at 8 where he shone for Brighton. Skipp hasn't really had much of a chance since his injury and Conte was full of praise for him previously. Bentancur and Hojbjerg are nailed on. If we get anyone at all in midfield it has to be an Eriksen type and with that in mind, McKennie would be a waste of money which all needs to be spent on top quality additions elsewhere. Didn't think he did anything above average against England either tbh.

 

[mil1lion]

It only really makes sense if we go to 352 but I'm not keen on that. Otherwise we have enough cover in there to cover a midfield 2. I would much prefer we get Maddison or someone similar who could play in a midfield 3 or the front 3. McKennie would be an upgrade on Skipp but I don't think that's important and Skipp is still developing plus he's homegrown.

 

[double0]

I think his a superb player , very athletic, box to box, technical and young. I get we have Hojberjg Bentancur Bissouma Skipp and I really really like Skipp adding McKennie for the right price will secure our midfield for many years. We shouldn't shy away from buying better players.

In terms of pressing areas of the team ie goalkeeper right wingback centre back and left centre back another attacking option ...there's a lot of work to do.

 

[Japhet]

It only really makes sense if we go to 352 but I'm not keen on that. Otherwise we have enough cover in there to cover a midfield 2. I would much prefer we get Maddison or someone similar who could play in a midfield 3 or the front 3. McKennie would be an upgrade on Skipp but I don't think that's important and Skipp is still developing plus he's homegrown.

Don't really see how McKennie would be an upgrade on Skipp when they're completely different type of player. Skipp seems to have plummeted in so many people's estimations since he's been injured, but I think they've simply forgotten how good he was when he got a run of a few games. If Conte would just play him and Bissouma in their proper positions..............

 

[TPdYID]

I think his a superb player , very athletic, box to box, technical and young. I get we have Hojberjg Bentancur Bissouma Skipp and I really really like Skipp adding McKennie for the right price will secure our midfield for many years. We shouldn't shy away from buying better players.

In terms of pressing areas of the team ie goalkeeper right wingback centre back and left centre back another attacking option ...there's a lot of work to do.

'Better' then what current CM option?

 

[McFlash]

I like him but think our money would be better spent elsewhere in the squad.
We need to make the cake, before we look at icing it.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Don't really see how McKennie would be an upgrade on Skipp when they're completely different type of player. Skipp seems to have plummeted in so many people's estimations since he's been injured, but I think they've simply forgotten how good he was when he got a run of a few games. If Conte would just play him and Bissouma in their proper positions..............

Yea Skippy was class before his injury, he's not hit his stride since he's come back but he's not had a good run of games so very hard to find rhythm and form.

Ideally we keep Skipp and add Mckennie as a n.o8 option so we have the 5 of them to pick from, that would be CM complete for a while then.
Also we need to keep our HG quota up so No way we should sell Skipp.

 

[Trix]

FP likes him, Conte not so keen.

 

[KirstyG]

FP likes him, Conte not so keen.

Likes him as from a league he knows, young and probably gettable. We have had issues with getting those players and then Conte wanting them in the team. I'm assuming Conte liked Kulu and Bentancur and if that's the case then can we please just go with the manager wants

 

[TennesseeYid]

FP likes him, Conte not so keen.

I like him a lot, before the season I would have said bring him in as he can provide a bit more goals than PEH and Lolo, but with those two upping their goal contributions this season. I’m afraid he is too similar to them both. Would rather we find someone a bit more creative

 

[CantSmileWithoutYou]

FP likes him, Conte not so keen.

Let's not buy him then. Hopefully.

 

[SPURSLIFE]

Would never dream about questioning the observational skills of a 'Sporting Director' when it comes to identifying talent, but as this is a forum i'll add my two-pence...

McKennie in the few short times I've seen him play looks fairly reliable but not a player who I believe will take us to the next level (consistent top 3/4).

Doesn't strike me as a signing who will be an obvious starter and from the games I've watched doesn't look much of an upgrade on any of our current crop of midfielders. Fully appreciate it's a squad game, bla bla bla but we need to be targeting a midfielder with a different skill-set to what we already have imo.

Side note:- I don't need reminding about Deki and Bentancur being 'underwhelming' signings (in most peoples eyes) at the time. This argument has died a death, been buried and then dug up countless times already.

I agree. What I have seen of him he looks very limited and is not better and possibly worse than what we have already.

 

[SPURSLIFE]

It only really makes sense if we go to 352 but I'm not keen on that. Otherwise we have enough cover in there to cover a midfield 2. I would much prefer we get Maddison or someone similar who could play in a midfield 3 or the front 3. McKennie would be an upgrade on Skipp but I don't think that's important and Skipp is still developing plus he's homegrown.

Certainly don't think he's an upgrade on Skipp. In fact I don't think he's an upgrade on any of our MF to be honest.

 

[SPURSLIFE]

Don't really see how McKennie would be an upgrade on Skipp when they're completely different type of player. Skipp seems to have plummeted in so many people's estimations since he's been injured, but I think they've simply forgotten how good he was when he got a run of a few games. If Conte would just play him and Bissouma in their proper positions..............

If Skipp hadn't been injured and been playing regularly I believe the way he was progressing last season he could have made the England squad for this WC.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Certainly don't think he's an upgrade on Skipp. In fact I don't think he's an upgrade on any of our MF to be honest.

He is pretty easily an upgrade on Skipp, HG status notwithstanding.

He would actually be an upgrade on Hojbjerg - McKennie is effectively a more athletic version of Hojbjerg. So, better able to press and also recover defensive responsibilities.

But the issue is not whether he would be an upgrade, it’s whether that money should be spent elsewhere. Some of that comes down to Paratici’s long-term planning - can we get a RWB or CB in January or do we need to wait until the summer to get the players we really want?

 

[SPURSLIFE]

He is pretty easily an upgrade on Skipp, HG status notwithstanding.

He would actually be an upgrade on Hojbjerg - McKennie is effectively a more athletic version of Hojbjerg. So, better able to press and also recover defensive responsibilities.

But the issue is not whether he would be an upgrade, it’s whether that money should be spent elsewhere. Some of that comes down to Paratici’s long-term planning - can we get a RWB or CB in January or do we need to wait until the summer to get the players we really want?

I agree he's quick and athletic but I don't believe he has the skill of Hojbjerg or the potential of Skipp. He's enthusiastic but lacks finesse. He wouldn't be a regular starter.