It seems like USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie could still be heading back to the Premier League but a move to Aston Villa is reportedly no longer in the works and Tottenham could swoop in to sign the American.
Per a report from Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa and Juventus had agreed a multi-player and cash deal for Douglas Luiz to head to the Italian giants. However, Romano has now said that McKennie will no longer be part of the deal between Juve and Villa.
And Football Insider claims that Tottenham are ahead of Villa, and others, in the race to sign McKennie. Per their report, McKennie is available for just $19 million this summer.
Is this a good move for McKennie?
On paper, yes. In reality, let’s wait and see.
McKennie, 25, struggled massively in his only previous stint in the Premier League when he spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Leeds United who were subsequently relegated and the American was lambasted for his lack of pace, composure and the fact he couldn’t impact games.
But this is a very different McKennie.
He has been solid and a regular for Juventus during the 2023-24 season and is once again playing with confidence and drive. McKennie playing in Ange Postecoglou’s high-pressing system is a very good fit and he has the ability to press in smart ways and then use the ball well when he wins it back. McKennie playing in a fluid, high-energy system is perfect for him and either a move to Villa or Tottenham would be perfect.
The big question is: how much will McKennie play? With Tottenham in the Europa League next season they will have a big need for rotation and the duo of Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma struggled late in the season, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Rodrigo Bentancur do not seem like good fits for Postecoglou’s system and could well move on this summer.
There will be an open spot for McKennie at Spurs but if he only starts 10-15 games a season and impact his development? Potentially. But don’t forget that McKennie can also play at right back, out wide and even at center back at a push. That kind of flexibility in a season where Spurs could play upwards 55 games will be vital for Postecoglou, especially as we saw how badly injuries ravaged Spurs defensively last season.
Right now a move to a Spurs team building something special and trending in the right direction seems like a risk worth taking and McKennie playing under a swashbuckling coach like Postecoglou should only get the best out of him and this is a style of play which suits his best attributes well. Do it, Weston. What is the worst that could happen?