Leeds United have agreed terms with Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie. That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims personal terms will not be an issue with Leeds can agree a fee with the Italian giants.
Of course, the deal is far from being complete, but that doesn’t stop us imagining how the American would fit into Jesse Marsch’s side at Elland Road. The 24-year-old is flexible and he would be able to play in a number of positions across the Whites’ midfield line, which is undoubtedly something Marsch likes about him.
He also knows the likes of Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson well having played with them on international duty for the United States. As such, he would already have an understanding of his role and what would be expected of him should he make the move to Elland Road.
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Here’s a look at how he could fit into Marsch’s starting XI.
A midfield two
Whatever system Marsch opts for, what’s clear is that Tyler Adams will be central to it. As such, if he opts to go with a midfield pairing in either a 4-2-3-1 formation, or even a 4-4-2, it will be Adams and one other. Marc Roca has played that role all season but his form has been up and down of late and it seems he would be the man to come out of the line-up if McKennie were to sign.
As mentioned above, McKennie know Adams well. The pair have played alongside each other for the States and they are aware of each other’s games having come through the national system together. McKennie is known for his game intelligence and energy, putting himself around the pitch and making runs into the area when required to do so.
That might just suit Adams down to the ground and help bring the more advanced attacking quartet into the game more. McKennie has the legs to drop back to defend, too, and that’s something that would certainly help to prevent Leeds’ backline from being exposed.
A midfield three
This is the system we saw McKennie and Adams in during the World Cup in Qatar. Adams would act as an anchor, with McKennie and usually Yunus Musah ever so slightly ahead of him, pressing and getting involved more in build-up play.
The trio found relative success in that system, reaching the last 16 of the tournament by holding Wales and England to draws and seeing off Iran. Something similar could work at Elland Road, with Aaronson, Roca, Greenwood, Forshaw, or even a more attack-minded individual able to slip in on the other side.
The 4-3-3 is a system we have seen on a fairly regular basis from Marsch over the last month in an attempt to shore things up in the middle of the park and it would be something McKennie is comfortable playing.
On a flank
It seems unlikely that Leeds would spend money to bring a central midfielder in only to play him in a wide position, but McKennie’s versatility ensures the option is there if they wished to do so. The American has been deployed on both the right and the left for Juventus this season and he has even been asked to play as a wing-back.
In fact, his most recent outing against Atalanta came on the right edge of a midfield five, getting up and down the flank. Given the personnel already within Leeds’ squad, they probably wouldn’t need him to play such a role, though.
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