Remember when Juventus tried to dump Weston McKennie? They sent him to Leeds United on loan and literally cleaned out his locker when he returned. Even gave away his parking spot. Talk about a cold welcome back to Turin.
Well, that awkward moment turned out pretty well for the Old Lady. McKennie is absolutely on fire right now. The 27-year-old American has bagged four goals in just eight games since the start of 2026. He's become one of Juve's most crucial players and a massive reason behind their recent hot streak.
The big difference? New manager Luciano Spalletti actually gets McKennie. Spalletti is one of Italy's most respected coaches, and he's built his Juventus system around the American's unique talents.
The Ultimate Utility Man
Here's the thing about Spalletti - he's a tactical genius who doesn't believe in rigid systems. "Systems no longer exist in football," he said during his title-winning days at Napoli. It's all about finding spaces and exploiting them quickly.
That philosophy is perfect for McKennie. This guy has played literally everywhere on the field. Last season alone, he featured at left back, right back, both wing-back positions, defensive mid, central mid, right wing, attacking mid, and even striker. The only position he hasn't tried is goalkeeper!
Under Spalletti, McKennie usually starts on the right side but has complete freedom. He drifts inside, slips between defensive lines, and pushes up as a second striker. He's the perfect embodiment of Spalletti's fluid, position-less football.
Against Parma recently, McKennie put in arguably Juve's best performance of the season. He scored in a dominant 4-1 win and earned man of the match honors. "I have never in my career worked with a coach like this," McKennie said afterward.
What About the USMNT?
Here's where things get interesting for American fans. Mauricio Pochettino left McKennie out of recent friendlies, saying "we already know what he can provide." That's a weird excuse considering how little time Pochettino has had with his best players.
McKennie is definitely one of America's top talents, but his World Cup role remains unclear. Pochettino seems unsure about using him in deep midfield positions. He might push McKennie further forward, but that area is crowded with Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, and Diego Luna.
For bettors looking at USMNT World Cup prospects, McKennie's form is crucial. If Pochettino can figure out how to use him like Spalletti does, the Americans become much more dangerous. His versatility could be a major tactical weapon.
McKennie has been written off before and always proves doubters wrong. Every season at Juve started with exit rumors. Every time, he fought his way back into the team. This season, he's not just back - he's thriving.
Spalletti clearly appreciates what McKennie brings. "He fights, he's strong in the air and he can jump high," the manager said. "He plays to get results because he makes decisions. He would be a perfect striker."
Contract talks have reportedly begun to keep McKennie at Juventus beyond this season. Milan and Napoli are supposedly interested, and there were even whispers about MLS. His agent recently jumped on social media to shut down what he called "lies and propaganda."
Bottom line? McKennie is proving his value when it matters most. As Juventus rebuilds, the American has become a central pillar of Spalletti's vision. Maybe when he signs that new contract, he can finally get his parking spot back.
