From ‘headless chicken’ to ‘Joker in the pack’ - How USMNT star Weston McKennie has changed his game at Juventus

The United States international has always been an energetic presence for club and country, with his versatility currently being put to good use in Turin. McKennie – who is more at home in the middle of the park – has been asked to fill a wider role on the right by Massimiliano Allegri in 2023-24.

McKennie believes he has become a more rounded player as a result of that change, while operating in Serie A has allowed him to mould a game that was a little frenetic at times. The 25-year-old has told DAZN: “It’s not really a role that’s new for me. I played it back at Schalke too, you could say I’m a Joker in the pack, I put the team first and don’t really care what role I’m playing. Obviously, I have a preferred role, but anything I can do to help the team, I’ll do it. The things I’ve learned here are definitely tactical. Playing in Germany it was more back and forth, the same in England, lots of running, but here it is very tactical, all about the position. That is something I needed to improve in my game instead of running around like a headless chicken and doing things I could’ve done easier.”

McKennie broke through in European football with Schalke, before linking up with Juve in the summer of 2020. He spent time on loan at Leeds last season – suffering relegation out of the Premier League – and has returned to favour in Italy this term after seeing serious questions asked of his future.

McKennie is only tied to a contract with Juve through to 2025, but fresh terms are being mooted as he continues to impress on domestic and international stages – with there still plenty of potential for him to unlock as he adjusts to the demands of different positions and systems.