Weston McKennie is under increasing amounts of pressure to ensure his loan switch to Leeds United is a success. The midfielder made the move from Juventus in the closing days of the January transfer window, with the deal allowing Leeds to sign him permanently in the summer, if they were to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Unfortunately, after a turbulent start to life at Elland Road following the departure of Jesse Marsch, McKennie has struggled to make his mark in the eight top flight games he’s played since his switch from Turin. The appointment of Javi Gracia has brought some level of stability to the club, but it’s fair to say things still haven’t clicked for him within the Spaniard’s system.
The American will be striving to find his natural role within Gracia’s midfield over the coming weeks, doing all he can to keep Leeds away from the bottom three. If he can do that, a permanent switch to West Yorkshire would look be on the cards and he would avoid the uncertainty that would come with a return to Juventus.
Read more: Rodrigo and Leeds United's four other difference makers as Javi Gracia plots run-in
McKennie has been deemed to be surplus to requirements at the Serie A giants, who already have a host of midfielders on their books and appeared willing to part ways with him completely before the loan move to Leeds was finalised. As such, according to Carlo Garganese of The Italian Football Podcast, it’s hard to see a way back into the picture for the 24-year-old at the Allianz Stadium, should he be forced to make a return in the summer.
“My understanding is that if Leeds stay up there’s a gentleman’s agreement for him to stay permanently at Leeds,” Garganese told LeedsLive. “If Leeds go down he’s probably likely to return to Juventus, but there certainly isn’t a future for him there.
“Juventus have a lot of midfielders and they also have another two who will probably end up returning. Arthur Melo from Liverpool, who they’ll try and sell but they won’t find a buyer because his wages and transfer value are too high, also Denis Zakaria at Chelsea, who I think will probably come back, although there has been reports that Chelsea will try and keep him. I would imagine he would end up returning to Juventus.
“They already have an abundance, way too many midfielders, and none of these three players are good enough, really, to play for Juventus. There is no future for McKennie at Juventus.”
McKennie spent two and a half seasons with Juventus, making 96 appearances in all competitions and scoring 13 goals.
READ NEXT:
Leeds United's pre-season attacking expectations could be about to become reality under Javi Gracia
Leeds United dealt huge Tyler Adams injury blow as midfielder 'undergoes surgery'
Stuart Dallas' 'outside chance' as injury update provided on Leeds United defender
Javi Gracia's search begins for Leeds United answers on how to cope without Tyler Adams
