Weston McKennie is closing on a £30 million move from Juventus to Leeds United and former USA international Charlie Davies believes the Premier League will be an excellent yardstick with which to judge the midfielder’s ability, speaking to In Soccer We Trust.
Try as they might, there would be no late hi-jack from Fulham or Nottingham Forest (Daily Mail). No repeat of that whole Arnaut Danjuma situation; Leeds batting away some eleventh hour competition as they close in on their latest American addition.
McKennie formed a formidable partnership with Tyler Adams at the Qatar World Cup, and Wisconsin-born head coach Jesse Marsch will be hoping that two of the hardest-working midfielders around can provide the platform for a successful survival push over the next few months.
The former Schalke enforcer has his bags packed, his locker cleared out; arriving at Turin Airport on Sunday afternoon as he prepares to board a flight to West Yorkshire (Romeo Agresti).
Leeds fight off Fulham and Nottingham Forest to sign Weston McKennie
“I like the move. I feel there is a lot going on with Juventus right now,” says Davies, highlighting the 15-point deduction slapped down upon a Juve side now 13th in the Serie A table.
“(McKennie) is going be thrust into playing every minute of this loan. It’s a good way to judge where he’s at. What’s his influence on a game?
“Because he is going to have to be massive for Leeds to stay up, in terms of his aerial prowess on set pieces and his transition game; winning tackles and going forward.
“He has got to be more efficient with the ball. (In England) teams are pressing you. You are under pressure all the time.”
‘I love this move’
McKennie, a box-to-box midfielder who can also play in a more attacking role or out wide on the wings, is likely to find himself at the heart of an all-American central trio, flanked by Adams and Brenden Aaronson.
And, while some are suggesting that relegation-threatened Leeds represents a backwards step, Davies believes the club’s typically free-wheeling football could help to instil a more proactive streak into McKennie’s game.
“I love this move from the standpoint of how tough its going to be. It’s a good test for him. To see where he is at and how he fits into the Premier League,” adds the ex-New England Revolution forward.
“You watch teams that are fighting relegation; they bunker down, there’s no keeping the ball, no possession. Its literally counter-attack, launch it, throw ins, corner kicks. Leeds don’t play that way.”
Leeds will sign McKennie on an initial loan deal. There will be a £30 million option-to-buy clause in his Elland Road contract.
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