Clinton Morrison says Leeds United’s January signing of Weston McKennie from Juventus is ‘very good’, but Rodrigo’s recent injury is a ‘huge blow’, as he told Sky Sports News (04/02/23 at 1:45 pm).
Jesse Marsch heads into Leeds’ Sunday fixture against Nottingham Forest with mixed emotions.
On one hand, he is able to start Juventus loanee and the USMNT star McKennie against Nottingham Forest, but on the other, he’ll be without his top scorer.
Whilst the Yorkshire outfit progressed to the next round of the FA Cup against League One side Accrington Stanley, it came with its consequences because the 31-year-old picked up an ankle injury.
With Patrick Bamford just returning, that’s a bitter pill to swallow for Marsch and Co. because he is going to be without a key player for around eight weeks.
Nonetheless, amid that gloom, former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison praised the call to bring McKennie to the club.
“They are three good players (Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Brendan Aaronson),” said Morrison. “You are right, when they played England at the World Cup, with Musah in there as well, they were outstanding. I think they were running England in that midfield department.
“McKennie is a good player. He has been in and out of the team at Juventus this season. I think it’s a good signing for Leeds. I think he will add a lot of quality alongside Adams. They have Aaronson.
“It’s a huge blow, though. Rodrigo is out for a couple of months,” added Morrison about the £26 million forward. “That’s a huge blow. He’s their top-scorer with 12 goals, ten in the Premier League this season, it’s good timing that Patrick Bamford is back, but they will miss Rodrigo.
“But I think McKennie is a very good signing for Leeds.”
MCKENNIE TO START V FOREST?
Why not?! Unless the 24-year-old isn’t at the fitness levels required, then there’s no reason why he can’t be thrown into the deep end straightaway.
Plus, he would have the familiar face of Tyler Adams behind him, even if he starts slowly.
This is a huge game for the Whites because they are outside of the relegation zone – albeit played two games less – on goal difference only and are three points behind Steve Cooper’s men.
If Forest win here, then they can start to plug a gap between themselves and those in danger, which is ideal timing given that the crunch moments of the season are now upon us.
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