Weston McKennie’s journey at Juventus has taken a surprising turn, transforming from a player seemingly on the verge of departure to a key figure in Thiago Motta’s plans. The American midfielder’s performance in Juventus’ 3-0 Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven, where he scored the second goal, marks a significant turnaround in his Turin career.
Calciomercato report how McKennie’s resurgence comes after a tumultuous period where he was considered surplus to requirements and placed on the transfer market. His decision to reject moves to Aston Villa, Galatasaray, and Fiorentina initially frustrated Juventus management, particularly as it threatened to derail the potential acquisition of Douglas Luiz.
In an ironic twist, McKennie started the match against PSV in place of Douglas Luiz, vindicating his decision to stay and fight for his place. This performance was not just a personal triumph for McKennie but also a strategic victory for coach Thiago Motta, who chose to trust the American over other options.
Behind the scenes, McKennie’s commitment to Juventus became evident in his contract renewal negotiations. Despite the opportunity to earn a higher salary at Aston Villa (around 3 million euros plus bonuses), he opted to extend his contract with Juventus until 2026, maintaining his current 2.5 million euro salary. This decision underscores that financial considerations were not the primary factor in McKennie’s choice to remain with the Bianconeri.
