During the Jesse Marsch era, there were many players that are deserving of the term flop after failing to impress in a Leeds United shirt with Marsch’s work in the transfer market failing.
In February 2022, Leeds sacked Marcelo Bielsa and after three games in between, The Whites hired Jesse Marsch. That summer, he sold Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha and was given a big transfer budget at Leeds.
But Leeds signed a handful of players that ultimately, flopped. The likes of Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Marc Roca have already left permanently after their ill-fated season in a Leeds shirt during 2022-23.
Leeds looked to rectify the issues in the 2023 January window, with relegation a distinct possibility and ultimately, the reality. In came Weston McKennie on loan, and Georginio Rutter for a club-record fee.
Leeds United flop Weston McKennie scores Man City screamer
The United States international only played 20 games for Leeds and the most-memorable thing he did for the Yorkshire side was produce some long throw-ins. Fitness in the Premier League was deemed an issue.
But since leaving Leeds, he has worked his way back into Juventus’ side, laying on 10 assists in 38 games last season. This time around, he has five goals and assists in 14 appearances for Thiago Motta’s Old Lady.
On Wednesday night, Juventus compounded Man City’s misery with a 2-0 win in Turin. McKennie came off the bench to score Juve’s second, a gorgeous bicycle kick, leaving Leeds fans in absolute shock.
One fan commented on his weight, saying he looks “two stone lighter” than his time at Elland Road. Another responded by saying “football is a funny game” after seeing McKennie’s gorgeous goal.
Man City are in a dismal run of form and a Leeds supporter feels McKennie scoring against Man City highlights just how bad they have been. He said McKennie scoring is “damning” on Man City.
Leeds fans continued to respond in their drones and another responded by saying: “he didn’t do that in 4 months at Leeds”. McKennie though, is finally showing why Leeds signed him, but in a Juventus shirt.
Weston McKennie spoke about Leeds United after Juventus goal
The midfielder has commented on Leeds and his failed loan spell a few times since his exit. So has his dad. But last night, McKennie seemed to blame the weather in Yorkshire for flopping while at Leeds.
Many will point to the fact that McKennie simply did not look interested when playing for Leeds and could not cope with the physical demands, intensity and speed of the Premier League while on loan.
But in truth, no-one played well during the second half of the 2022-23 season with the club hamstrung by Marsch’s inept tactics that season. Leeds got relegated and McKennie was the face of things going wrong.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
