‘Make any team better’ – Leeds flop who left after 20 games told to join Premier League giants

Weston McKennie has been told he can ‘make any team better’ amid continued calls to return to the Premier League this summer.

The 27-year-old has revived his career at 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 registered as many assists from 35 matches across all competitions for the Serie A giants this campaign.

He underlined his versatility while operating as a false nine in the Champions League this week, and assisting one of Teun Koopmeiners’ two strikes in Juve’s 5-2 playoff first-leg defeat against Galatasaray.

The Bianconeri remain keen to secure McKennie’s future, but the American holds the cards ahead of a home World Cup this summer.

The 62-cap international is a key part of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, with an impressive tournament likely to increase his wage demands.

Wild West

Ex-USMNT star Tab Ramos has now said that his compatriot would ‘make any team better’, but wants him at a potential title contender.

He told GOAL: “I have to tell you, Weston McKennie is a player that can play anywhere – in any position on the field.

“Look at what he has done for Juve the last couple of months, they have had him everywhere – from right-back to centre mid, attacking mid.

“He always ends up in the box and is always dangerous. He has always made a difference.

“To be fair, Juventus’ recovery is partly on the shoulders of Weston McKennie; he has been that good for them. 

“Would I like to see him go to the EPL? Juventus is another one of those clubs – you are talking about a great club all over the world.

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“I really think that Weston McKennie can make any team better,” Two-time MLS All-Star Ramos continued.

“I would personally like to see him back in the EPL playing for a club that is fighting for titles.”

Ell of a hard time

Juventus’ No.22 may be keen to prove his Premier League doubters wrong following his disastrous first spell in English football.

McKennie joined Jesse Marsch’s ‘American Revolution’ at Leeds in January 2023 on a six-month loan from Juventus.

However, he made just one appearance under Marsch before his countryman was fired – and soon things went from bad to worse.

McKennie ultimately managed just one assist in more than 1,400 minutes over 20 games as Leeds were relegated that May.

He bore the blame for the club’s demise, as he was booed and abused by the Elland Road faithful on the final match of the season.

Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony told talkSPORT that Leeds were relegated ‘because they signed half the U.S. national team, who weren’t very good’.

Gabby Agbonlahor went further, adding: “Weston McKennie at Leeds, no wonder they didn’t want to sign him permanently.

“I think he went back to Juventus a couple of hours after the game against Spurs.

“He was a poor signing, I don’t understand how he played so long at Juventus, he was very poor.”

Deal or no deal?

McKennie even admitted that he felt he ‘let people down’ months later, but three years later, he is now a player reborn.

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European football expert Andy Brassell told talkSPORT.com: “He has been pretty good this season.

“I guess the thing is with the sort of game that Weston McKennie’s got, he’s so busy and such an exciting player.

“He can cover a number of positions, he can contribute to the attack, he can take up a more defensive register.

“If he were put on the market tomorrow, a load of Premier League clubs would want him, I think.

“But I suppose the difficulty for Juventus now is that, really, they brought in the current football management to cut wastage and to cut costs.

“So clearly at the end of the season, there are going to have to be some players that go. So maybe, maybe he falls among those.”