Weston McKennie

[Young Nasty Man]

Us Americans are forced to watch Bundesliga solely because our up and coming talent typically goes through there. Reyna is the next one after Pulisic, and McKennie after Reyna. The USMNT is a few years away from hitting a new peak with talent that forewent traditional American path to soccer and took the European academy route.

We don’t need McKennie and he’s arguably not in our XI if we signed him. However, he is a hard worker wholl make people earn their spot and he’s a workhorse. Reminds me of a combo of Sissoko, Zokora, Palacios, and Parker all in one.

 

[Karlinho]

Not fussed on this one. In general, apart from Goalkeepers who use their hands, American players are average at best.

Pass.

I don't disagree regarding many U.S. internationals in years past.

However, I think he's far from average.

Is there a team among the top six or seven more reliant than we are on passing back to our keeper for lack of technical ability and "responsibility" in finding forward passing solutions?

Is there a "top team" less composed and more hurried and nervous from a press than we are? Which midfield in the top six or seven spends longer worrying spells on the back foot in our own half passing into safety (inviting pressure, really) along the back line for lack of technical ability and "responsibility"?

I'm possibly with Paratici on this one in thinking that Mckennie (along with Romero) could easily be part of our solution in our first eleven..

For me:
He basically walks into the first team

Because - among other reasons:
He has good physicality(could be better still).
His sense of tempo seems to be better than the midfielders we currently have
He takes responsibility to find forward solutions more than those midfielders we currently have

 

[Derryank]

I said 'in general'...

There is always an exception to the rule. And Pulisic is that one exception.

?....

 

[fortworthspur]

havent seen him but if he's good enough to get 46 appearances in one season for Juve hes probably good enough for us.

 

[pook]

Us Americans are forced to watch Bundesliga solely because our up and coming talent typically goes through there ...

To be fair, some of us watch the Bundesliga because German footy is brill.

 

[van_Pommel]

Us Americans are forced to watch Bundesliga solely because our up and coming talent typically goes through there. Reyna is the next one after Pulisic, and McKennie after Reyna. The USMNT is a few years away from hitting a new peak with talent that forewent traditional American path to soccer and took the European academy route.

We don’t need McKennie and he’s arguably not in our XI if we signed him. However, he is a hard worker wholl make people earn their spot and he’s a workhorse. Reminds me of a combo of Sissoko, Zokora, Palacios, and Parker all in one.

Can't have enough of that attitude in your squad IMO. It would be great to sign a Xavi who's an artist in midfield, but when there's none available at a price that's within our budget then this kind of player will always have a positive impact on the squad. Especially with this 433 we're playing where all 3 mids need to work hard and be disciplined. Could see Sissoko at Juve so maybe something can be done.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Can he receive the ball under pressure and keep it? And can he receive the ball under pressure and still manage to find forward passes through the lines?

These are two key elements lacking from Hojbjerg and Dele in particular in our midfield at the moment.

 

[DannyNZ]

Haven’t seen massive amounts of his play but from the bits I’ve seen he walks into our midfield. He looks to have a really well rounded game, a great work ethic and terrific engine.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Obviously him being American is part of the reason for the excitement but it’s also Bc it’s a 22yo who just finished a season as one of Juventus’ best players. Wouldn’t that typically be cause for excitement by itself?

Don't know.

Maybe that's why I asked? ?‍

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Romano was saying he doesnt think Paratici will go back for any Juve players this summer and it might even be in his contract.

That's fine.

Just get Levy or Hitchen to go in for him. Fuck all to do with Paratici then.

 

[snakehipsspurs]

 

[H-SF]

My guess is that the club would realistically like to get Ndombele, Sissoko and Aurier out the door before the deadline and bring in Traore, McKennie, Aouar and Tomiyasu (on top of Sarr). My bet is that we get Sissoko out the door and bring in one of those names.

 

[Guntz]

Seems too similar to Skipp IMO and £40m seems excessive.

Would much rather we opt for a more creative player in the Aouar mould. However, if we can shift Ndombele & Sissoko then I wouldn't be adverse to McKennie.

 

[curlacious]

 

[YB123]

My guess is that the club would realistically like to get Ndombele, Sissoko and Aurier out the door before the deadline and bring in Traore, McKennie, Aouar and Tomiyasu (on top of Sarr). My bet is that we get Sissoko out the door and bring in one of those names.

This appears to be it.

My bet. We sign Traore and dont shift this lot.

 

[AssaTM]

I think if we get Traore in then having 3 "solid" CM's can still be incredibly effective similar to the Liverpool mould, with the flanks being where most of the creativity is made. I think Klopp saw this ahead of anyone else because as a few people pointed out in the Traore thread, it's the flanks where English teams are at their most vulnerable almost entirely - with 3 energetic CM's you can cover for the flanks and use them to press higher up the pitch - signings like this make that all the more possible.

 

[For the love of Spurs]

I think if we get Traore in then having 3 "solid" CM's can still be incredibly effective similar to the Liverpool mould, with the flanks being where most of the creativity is made. I think Klopp saw this ahead of anyone else because as a few people pointed out in the Traore thread, it's the flanks where English teams are at their most vulnerable almost entirely - with 3 energetic CM's you can cover for the flanks and use them to press higher up the pitch - signings like this make that all the more possible.

It’s a good point and with 4-3-3 we could easily go down the Liverpool route. Traore can press like hell and his hold up and running play is great but I still feel to do it that style we would need another CM to go along with Skipp, Dele and Hojbjerg. Perhaps one of Kessie or as per this thread McKennie as well and we have a clear route to that way of playing.

It would also negate to some degree our need for a purely creative AM, Liverpool don’t have one in that system, creativity is spread round the team and chances are created through pressing, beating opposition players and disruption.

 

[TheWook]

I don't know anything about this player, but if he is anything like our current American int. player, they can keep him

 

[rabbikeane]

So Juve found him not good enough and now he's supposedly a 40m player?
That seems to be double his real value.