Micah Richards feels Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie are now ‘pivotal’ to Leeds United and Javi Gracia. He also believes McKennie has ‘made a difference’ since he joined on loan.
Leeds moved to hire McKennie for the remainder of the season in January to improve their midfield under Jesse Marsch. The Whites also obtained an option to buy the 24-year-old in the summer for €33m (£29m), per Fabrizio Romano, after paying a €1.2m (£1m) loan fee.
Their clause can also become an obligation for Leeds to buy McKennie from Juventus if the American plays at least 10 games, per TuttoJuve24. The Whites must also avoid relegation from the Premier League. While Marsch signed Adams from RB Leipzig last July for £20m.
McKennie has already featured six times for Leeds after starting in their FA Cup defeat to Fulham on Tuesday night. The Texas native has also started in all but one available fixture since his transfer from Juventus. He has formed an immediate partnership beside Adams.
Marsch replaced Marc Roca with McKennie as Adams’ engine room partner for the 41-cap USMNT star’s debut at Nottingham Forest. Michael Skubala and now Gracia have kept the Bianconeri loanee in the role since, as well. A small injury kept Roca from Skubala’s squads.
Adams and McKennie impressed Richards in Leeds’ FA Cup defeat at Fulham
Gracia experimented with a three-man engine room of Adams behind McKennie and Roca as Leeds visited Fulham on Tuesday. Yet the Whites boss took Roca off after 74 minutes in hopes of a response whilst trailing 2-0. But the Elland Road outfit could not stay in the cup.
Richards admired what McKennie and Adams offered in Leeds’ midfield at Fulham, though. The latter’s battling in the deeper role allowed the loanee to play with freedom. McKennie also seldom shied from seeking the ball despite losing possession 23 times, per SofaScore.
“Leeds fans love players who work hard,” Richards told BBC One. “These two Americans – Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams – are pivotal. They provide energy, tenacity and understanding. Since McKennie came on loan from Juventus, he has made a difference.”
Only Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson (24) lost possession more often in the FA Cup tie than McKennie (23) for Leeds. But the Juventus loanee kept plugging away to connect the Whites’ midfield and attack. His efforts led to a joint game-high two key balls on Tuesday.
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