Weston McKennie's Resurgence at Juventus Continues Under Luciano Spalletti

It wasn't that long ago when Juventus seemed ready to part ways with Weston McKennie. The club even shipped him out on loan to Leeds United and reportedly emptied his locker upon his return to Turin. Safe to say, the Old Lady is likely regretting those decisions now.

The 27-year-old USMNT midfielder is enjoying a sensational run of form. Since the calendar flipped to 2025, McKennie has netted four goals across just eight appearances. Beyond the statistics, he's emerged as an indispensable piece of the puzzle for new boss Luciano Spalletti.

Spalletti belongs to that rare breed of tactically innovative managers who refuse to be bound by convention. During his championship-winning campaign with Napoli, he famously declared that "systems no longer exist in football." His tactical blueprint? Identify the spaces opponents leave vulnerable and attack them with ruthless efficiency.

McKennie represents the ideal player for Spalletti's vision. He's essentially a "position-less" footballer – though perhaps "every-position" player would be a more fitting description.

Football's Swiss Army Knife

Consider McKennie's deployment over the previous campaign. He featured at left-back, right-back, both wing-back roles, holding midfield, box-to-box midfield, right wing, number 10, and even as a centre-forward. Goalkeeper remains the only position he hasn't sampled!

In Spalletti's system, McKennie typically begins matches positioned on the right flank. However, he enjoys complete tactical licence to drift centrally, operate between the lines, and advance as a second striker when opportunities arise. No player in the Juventus squad better exemplifies Spalletti's fluid, system-free philosophy.

McKennie's performance against Parma this past Sunday showcased his current brilliance. He delivered a stellar display in Juventus' commanding 4-1 triumph, finding the net in the 37th minute and earning man-of-the-match honours. His post-match comments about Spalletti were glowing: "I have never in my career worked with a coach like this."

Questions Surrounding His USMNT Role

For American supporters, McKennie's international situation presents an intriguing subplot. New United States manager Mauricio Pochettino controversially omitted McKennie from recent friendly matches, stating "we already know what he can provide the team." It's a peculiar justification considering Pochettino's limited time working with his top players.

The critical question centres on McKennie's role in Pochettino's World Cup blueprint. While he's undoubtedly among America's elite talents, his precise function remains ambiguous. Pochettino appears hesitant about deploying him in deeper midfield areas.

This uncertainty suggests McKennie could feature in a more advanced role as one of two attacking midfielders. However, competition for those spots is fierce with Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, and Diego Luna all in contention. He might also operate on the right side similar to his Juventus role, though Pochettino has thus far favoured Sergiño Dest, Tim Weah, and Alex Freeman in that area.

For those following World Cup squad predictions, McKennie's situation warrants close attention. His exceptional current form suggests he should be an automatic selection, yet Pochettino's decisions have raised eyebrows.

Making doubters eat their words has become McKennie's specialty. Nearly every season at Juventus has begun with speculation about his departure or reduced playing time. Without fail, he's battled back into the starting eleven.

Spalletti clearly recognizes what makes the American tick. The experienced Italian manager has constructed his tactical approach to accentuate McKennie's strengths whilst minimizing his limitations. Spalletti's assessment of his versatile midfielder is effusive: "He fights, he's strong in the air and he can jump high. He plays to get results because he makes decisions. He would be a perfect striker."

Negotiations have reportedly commenced to extend McKennie's stay at Juventus past the current season. While rumours have surfaced linking him to Milan, Napoli, and MLS outfit FC Cincinnati, his representative recently dismissed these stories as "lies and propaganda."

What cannot be dismissed is McKennie's significance to this Juventus squad. As the Turin giants undergo reconstruction, the American international has demonstrated he merits a starring role in their future plans. Perhaps when he puts pen to paper on that new deal, he'll finally reclaim his parking space at the training ground.