Clint Dempsey has claimed that Leeds and Tottenham transfer target Weston McKennie brings ‘fire’ to the midfield after he scored for Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
It wasn’t enough for the Old Lady because they were knocked out of the Champions following their 4-3 defeat to Benfica – and despite pressure on manager Max Allegri, former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry says there shouldn’t be a change of manager.
Nonetheless, former Spurs man Dempsey was impressed by his fellow countryman and how he is someone who ‘leads by example’ in the middle of the park, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (25/10/22 at 10:40 pm).
Despite Juve’s struggles in Europe and in Serie A, which sees them currently sitting outside of the European places, some of their top players are still being lauded.
McKennie is a sought-after figure, with the USA international wanted by Jesse Marsch at Leeds, as well as Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur.
Dempsey would have seen the 24-year-old’s rise through the ranks in America to Germany and then Italy, as he shared how he helps the US have a strong midfield heading into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“Great to see (McKennie score in the Champions League), he is someone that brings fire to that midfield,” said Dempsey.
“They put a good cross in, his teammate beats his opponent down the line, it came out, deflection, he is there, hungry in the box.
“What I like about Weston is that he always plays with confidence. He is someone that doesn’t play with fear. He has scored quite a few goals this year in the Champions League, I know he has at least two already.
“And we have a solid midfield in the US team, with him, Musah and Tyler Adams, I think it’s one of the best midfields we have had in a while – Weston is someone who leads by example.”
MCKENNIE IS BUILT FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE
The 2022 World Cup is around the corner and the world’s biggest tournament might just elevate a few names in the transfer market.
McKennie is playing on a big stage because he is performing for one of the biggest clubs in Italy and the world in Juventus.
But it’s a different story altogether working your magic in the World Cup, and with England in the same group as the USA, then things could get very tasty next month.
It has been well-documented for a while that Premier League teams want McKennie and given the presence he has in the middle of the park, his ability to shift the ball forward, then he certainly is built for English football.
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