Chelsea and Arsenal were given a glimpse at what they could have had if Weston McKennie had chosen a separate path in January. The new Leeds midfielder produced an impressive display on his first start in the league against Manchester United on Wednesday.
Up against the in-form Red Devils, he and new USMNT captain Tyler Adams were aggressive in the centre of the pitch, attempting nine tackles across the pitch between them. There were six interceptions, three apiece, nine blocks combined and four fouls. They did the running and were truly the engine room for this Leeds showing.
Both were booked within five minutes of each other too. Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising, either. This was the pair's 33rd game together having already accumulated 31 international caps alongside each other, including all four group-stage games at the World Cup in Qatar.
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Despite the departure of Jesse Marsch from Elland Road and the precarious position Leeds find themselves in, the sale of the Yorkshire club to McKennie is relatively simple. Here is a side gearing up towards Americanisation on and off the field, tapping into the market which expressed itself dynamically over the winter.
The 49ers group are preparing for a takeover, the head coach was, until days ago, American and Chris Armas, in current caretaker management with two other assistants, is also from the states. On a short-term loan there was little that could go wrong for McKennie. Having struggled to command a consistent role at Juventus he was given a chance to show his quality on the best stage of all.
Such was the position that McKennie has already found himself in early in the match in Manchester, he was first to clamber onto Willy Gnonto after he fired Leeds ahead in the second minute. For a player of his quality and experience - more than 70 appearances in Germany and Italy at the age of 24 - McKennie had a host of suitors to choose from and was giving new United man Marcel Sabizter a tough time.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal had been offered his services in the winter and the two London clubs may well be watching with interest as he forms what already looks to be a reliable and tenacious midfield partnership with Adams. McKennie has shown his tactical flexibility as a wide midfielder against England and also his rigid but purposeful displays in the centre. With mobility and skill on the ball his loan deal may well be making a point to those higher up the table ahead of the summer.
Enzo Fernandez and Jorginho were secured as deadline day signings in London but they are far from the final piece of the puzzle for Mikel Arteta or Graham Potter. Fernandez still needs a partner as Chelsea explore contract opportunities and plot the future of their engine room whilst Jorginho is a short-term option at the Emirates Stadium.
McKennie, who has been offered around from Juventus since the summer, will likely be on the market once more come the end of the season and if he continues in the manner of his display at Old Trafford then seeing more clubs come in for him on a permanent deal won't be surprising.
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