‘Not a pain in the ass!’ - Why USMNT star Weston McKennie has ‘value’ to ‘any team in the world’ as Juventus contract extension saga drags on

The United States international has enjoyed a remarkable reversal in fortune during the 2023-24 campaign, with a second opportunity in Turin being grabbed with both hands on the back of a forgettable loan spell at Leeds.

McKennie has become a key part of Juve’s plans, but is only tied to a deal through to 2025 and was substituted at half-time during his latest outing for the Bianconeri. Discussions regarding an extended stay in Turin are yet to reach a compromise that suits all parties, with the 25-year-old’s value to the collective cause not being recognised in monetary terms.

Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas has told his State of the Union podcast of why McKennie will be just fine, regardless of what happens from this point: “I’m not worried about it. I am only worried if, from a contractual standpoint because we have talked about Weston McKennie, he’s played well and is going to want more money. He has certainly changed the perception of him after that horrible loan spell over in England. I’m not worried about it. People will want Weston McKennie. I think he will have plenty of job offers going forward. But I would like to see him continue with Juventus. I think they appreciate him, it’s just a matter from a financial standpoint of how much do they actually appreciate him? If they bring him back next year, I think he’ll come back stronger. It’s value. Not MVP, just value. Here is a player that I can plug into multiple positions, I know I’m going to get something out of it. By all accounts, on and off the field, he’s not a pain in the ass. There is value to that in any team in the world and any country and culture in the world.”

Juventus are running the risk of having to part with McKennie in the next transfer window, as they cannot afford to let him head towards free agency. There has been talk of interest from England and Germany in the versatile midfielder, who will be hoping to star for his country at a Copa America on home soil this summer.