Weston McKennie has finally found his place in the world with Juventus, and it's a beautiful thing to watch. The 27-year-old American midfielder has been with the Old Lady for years, but his recent form is something special. In just eight games since the start of 2026, he has scored four times and become one of Juve's most important players.
McKennie's utility role in midfield is no surprise to anyone who's followed him throughout his career. He's always been a position-less player, capable of filling in anywhere on the pitch with ease. Last season, he played as left back, right back, defensive midfielder, central midfielder, and even centre forward - it was like he had an identity crisis, but in the best possible way.
Since Spalletti's arrival in October, McKennie has been used on the right side of midfield, where he can drift inside and push up as a secondary striker. It's a system that suits him perfectly, allowing him to use his speed and agility to get in between the lines and create scoring opportunities.
But how will this translate to the World Cup? US head coach Gregg Pochettino seems unsure about McKennie's suitability for one of the deep-lying midfield roles, which could push him further forward into a dual-No 10 position. That's where things get interesting - with players like Christian Pulisic and Malik Tillman also vying for a spot, McKennie will have to prove himself all over again.
McKennie has been written off in the past, but this is his thing - he thrives under pressure and loves being doubted. Spalletti gets him, though, and has built Juve's team around him to accentuate his strengths.
As for a new contract, talks have reportedly started, with McKennie linked to rival Serie A teams like Milan and Napoli. But one thing is certain: if he signs on the dotted line, he'll deserve that parking spot back at Juventus Stadium.
McKennie's utility role in midfield is no surprise to anyone who's followed him throughout his career. He's always been a position-less player, capable of filling in anywhere on the pitch with ease. Last season, he played as left back, right back, defensive midfielder, central midfielder, and even centre forward - it was like he had an identity crisis, but in the best possible way.
Since Spalletti's arrival in October, McKennie has been used on the right side of midfield, where he can drift inside and push up as a secondary striker. It's a system that suits him perfectly, allowing him to use his speed and agility to get in between the lines and create scoring opportunities.
But how will this translate to the World Cup? US head coach Gregg Pochettino seems unsure about McKennie's suitability for one of the deep-lying midfield roles, which could push him further forward into a dual-No 10 position. That's where things get interesting - with players like Christian Pulisic and Malik Tillman also vying for a spot, McKennie will have to prove himself all over again.
McKennie has been written off in the past, but this is his thing - he thrives under pressure and loves being doubted. Spalletti gets him, though, and has built Juve's team around him to accentuate his strengths.
As for a new contract, talks have reportedly started, with McKennie linked to rival Serie A teams like Milan and Napoli. But one thing is certain: if he signs on the dotted line, he'll deserve that parking spot back at Juventus Stadium.