Weston McKennie has been told he can “make any team better” despite continued calls to return to the Premier League this summer.
The 27-year-old has revived his career with Juventus but is out of contract at the end of the season and could become a free agent.
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The midfielder has scored seven goals and provided as many assists in 35 games in all competitions for the Serie A giants this season.
He underlined his versatility when he played as a false nine in the Champions League this week, setting up one of Teun Koopmeiners’ two goals in Juve’s 5-2 playoff first-leg loss to Galatasaray.
The Bianconeri remain interested in securing McKennie’s future, but the American holds the cards ahead of a home World Cup this summer.
The 62-time international is an important part of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad and an impressive tournament is likely to boost his wage demands.
Wild West
Former USMNT star Tab Ramos has now said his compatriot “would make any team better” but wants him as a potential title contender.
He told GOAL: “I have to tell you, Weston McKennie is a player who can play anywhere – any position on the field.”
“Look at what he has done for Juve in the last few months. They had him everywhere – from right-back to center to attacking center.
“He always ends up in the penalty area and is always dangerous. He always made the difference.”
“To be fair, Juventus’ recovery is partly on the shoulders of Weston McKennie; he was so good for them.
“Do I want to see him in the EPL? Juventus is another one of those clubs – you’re talking about a great club in the world.”
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“I truly believe Weston McKennie can make any team better,” two-time MLS All-Star Ramos continued.
“Personally, I would like to see him back in the EPL, playing for a club that is fighting for titles.”
It’s a tough time
Juventus’ number 22 may be looking to prove his Premier League doubters wrong after his disastrous debut in English football.
McKennie moved to Jesse Marsch’s American Revolution in Leeds on loan from Juventus in January 2023.
However, he only played once under March before his compatriot was fired – and things soon got worse.
Ultimately, McKennie managed just one assist in more than 1,400 minutes in 20 games as Leeds were relegated in May.
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He took the blame for the club’s demise as he was booed and insulted by Elland Road supporters in the final game of the season.
Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony told The Pitch Prospect that Leeds were relegated “because they signed half of the US national team who weren’t very good”.
Gabby Agbonlahor went a step further, adding: “Weston McKennie at Leeds, no wonder they didn’t want to sign him permanently.
“I think he returned to Juventus a few hours after the Spurs game.
“He was a bad signing, I don’t understand how he played at Juventus for so long, he was very bad.”
Deal or no deal?
McKennie even admitted months later that he felt he had “let people down”, but three years later he is now a reborn player.
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European football expert Andy Brassell told The Pitch Prospect.com: “He’s been pretty good this season.”
“I think the thing is the type of game Weston McKennie has, he’s so busy and such an exciting player.”
“He can cover multiple positions, he can contribute to the attack, he can play a more defensive position.”
“If he was put on the market tomorrow I think a lot of Premier League clubs would want him.”
“But I suspect the difficulty for Juventus now is that they have actually used the current football management to avoid losses and reduce costs.”
“So it’s clear that at the end of the season there will have to be some players who leave. Maybe, maybe he’ll be one of them.”