'He proves his worth' - Alexi Lalas underscores Weston McKennie's availability and versatility as key assets for USMNT, even though Juventus status often seems cloudy

McKennie's availability enhances his value to both Juventus and the USMNT, Lalas contends. 

“Look, we know that Weston McKennie is not a perfect player,” Lalas said on his State of Union podcast. “We know that. I'm sure from a coaching perspective, Weston McKennie can be challenging, shall we say. But he's a gamer and he plays multiple positions and has consistently shown that he is valuable because of the fact that he is going to be there again, rarely hurt. So I'm going to knock on wood that that continues to happen."

Lalas said that McKennie's versatility makes him particularly interesting as a tactical option, saying he "can play multiple positions. And so that value that is associated with him. You know, for example, I was a centerback growing up. I played different positions, but there's not a chance that I was ever going to be called upon to move and play a fundamentally different position.

“We've seen Weston all over the place outside back, outside wing, on the on the wing. We've seen him in the middle. So I guess this is an ode to Weston McKennie and maybe not a warning, but a lesson for those that can play multiple positions or have the ability in the modern day, to identify some different ways of going about doing things."

Lalas said he has an appreciation for players who can perform effectively across multiple positions.

“I think there is nothing more valuable," he said. "And again, he has shown, despite the change of coaches and despite the change of time and despite the change of circumstances in his team, that whoever comes in recognizes he's healthy, he can do a job. I can play him at multiple positions. And even when the press says this or the fans say that, he proves his worth.”

Despite being made available for transfer during the summer window, the 26-year-old has forced his way back into consideration at the Italian giants. However, McKennie hasn’t been picked by Mauricio Pochettino for the USMNT for the last two camps, which has raised a few questions among fans and critics alike.

Following their 4-4 draw against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, Juventus return to league action against Verona on Sept. 19.