Shaun Derry has admitted that he does not know what Weston McKennie brings to the current Leeds United side after the Whites’ shambolic performance in their loss to West Ham.
Derry was speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after Leeds moved to within touching distance of relegation with an embarrassing performance at the London Stadium.
Only a couple of players could probably be content with their displays against the Hammers – who should have had little reason to care about this game.
Derry criticises Weston McKennie after Leeds loss
And Derry felt that Weston McKennie was definitely one who needed to do so much better. The American has obviously had a difficult time since his loan move in the January transfer window.
He has shown a couple of glimpses of his quality. And he actually set up Leeds’ goal on Sunday, with his long throw being volleyed home by Rodrigo.
But Derry did not hold back in his assessment of McKennie’s form in the midst of a relegation battle.
“The big thing for me, and I’ve said this, Weston McKennie, I don’t know what he brings to this football club in terms of the performances that he’s delivering,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“I watched him in the World Cup, I watched him for the USA and I thought he was a gritty, dogged, determined player. That’s what’s required here. You need that type of performance. And that’s what I haven’t witnessed from Weston McKennie unfortunately.”
McKennie was arguably Leeds’ brightest midfielder in the first-half. He was showing energy and getting onto the ball on plenty of occasions.
But like many, he completely disappeared in the second-half. And unfortunately, that has been the story for much of McKennie’s spell at Elland Road.
Certainly, it is hard to see Leeds – if they do somehow secure a miracle – pushing particularly hard to keep McKennie.