In a recent interview with Stadium Astro, Leeds United loanee Weston McKennie is enjoying his football at Elland Road. McKennie said,
“This is the Premier League, it’s everything that I wanted. The banter, the hard tackles, the talking back with other players and the arguments with the refs.
“I think it’s something that attracts me to it, draws me to it and obviously after every game, players walk away with battle scars and unfortunately I walked away with one today but it was a good experience.”
McKennie’s Impressive Start To His Loan Spell At Elland Raod
The United States talent has made a decent start to his loan spell at Leeds United after joining on loan from Juventus last month as he has already produced a couple of decent displays for them at the centre of the park. McKennie has participated in two matches for the Whites this season but is yet to score a goal for them.
However, the 24-year-old has anchored the midfield with conviction by averaging 1.5 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 4.0 clearances per 90 minutes in the Premier League. However, he needs to take care of the ball a bit better as he has completed only 69.5% of his attempted passes in the top tier of English football (stats via whoscored).
Should Leeds United Sign McKennie Permanently?
McKennie is a tough-tackling midfielder who can read the danger well to secure the ball back for his side at the centre of the park. He usually clears the danger when the opposition are on the front foot and can engineer some inviting chances for his teammates in the final third.
The United States international can also make a few clever runs toward the opponent’s penalty box. He is primarily a central midfielder but can also fill in as a wide player if his manager tells him to do so.
At 24, McKennie’s best years are ahead of him which makes him a decent choice for Leeds to sign permanently next summer. He has settled into life at Elland Road quite well and could help the Whites stay competitive in the Premier League. Thus, the Yorkshire giants should focus on trying everything they can to sign him from Juventus on a permanent basis at the end of this campaign.
However, Leeds should only secure McKennie’s services if they are willing to play him regularly in English football over the next few years.
