What Weston McKennie really thinks of his Leeds United loan spell

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Much was made about Weston McKennie when Leeds United signed him from Juventus, but things did not turn out as expected.

McKennie joined Leeds on loan from Juventus in January 2023. The midfielder’s contract was until the end of the 2022-23 season.

Jesse Marsch was the head coach of the West Yorkshire club at the time. Marsch really expected McKennie to shine at Leeds. He described his American compatriot as an “aggressive” player who was “outstanding in training”.

Arsenal’s interest in McKennie at the time further strengthened the notion that Leeds were getting a really good and promising player.

McKennie, though, failed to make a huge impact at Elland Road. The USA international midfielder made 16 and three substitute appearances in the Premier League in the second half of the 2022-23 season. He gave one assist in those games.

Weston McKennie views Leeds United loan spell positively

Although he played regularly under Marsch, McKennie did not always impress at Leeds and was branded a failure. The Whites also got relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2022-23 season.

The 26-year-old Juventus midfielder’s father, John McKennie thinks otherwise. He has said that the former Schalke player used his spell at Leeds to grow.

When asked by Tutto Juve what Weston McKennie thought of his Leeds loan spell, his father John said: “He didn’t see it as a negative experience, like us, but as an opportunity for growth.”

How has Weston McKennie fared since Leeds exit?

McKennie has done relatively well since leaving Leeds. The midfielder is still at Juventus and is an important player for the Italian club.

The midfielder has made four starts and four substitute appearances in Serie A this season. He has scored one goal and given two assists in those games.

McKennie has found the back of the net once in four UEFA Champions League matches for Thiago Motta’s side this season as well.

Juventus tried to sell McKennie in the summer of 2023 (and then again last summer), but he forced his way into then head coach Massimiliano Allegri’s team and made 38 appearances in all competitions in 2023-24. The midfielder scored 10 goals and gave six assists in those games.