Leeds United fans were looking for improvement from Weston McKennie against Leicester City on Tuesday, and the midfielder did put in a much better display.
Since January, Leeds have been looking for a more tangible impact from two of their three senior signings, with Max Wöber the only one who looks to be improving the side with his presence.
Weston McKennie has come in for a lot of criticism since his loan move from Juventus, with the €33million price tag for the move to become permanent not really having any justification behind it at the moment.
He came into the Leicester clash in midweek off the back of three poor showings and his friend spouting unfounded rumours on Twitter, but put in a much better showing.
Here, our writers Kris (FA5) and Adam (Statto) discuss the USMNT man’s efforts against the Foxes as Leeds could only come away with a point…
McKennie’s performance in midfield could, and should have been enough for him to be helping the side to a win, but I think both he and Marc Roca were let down by Javi Gracia’s approach and lack of good substitutions.
The midfielder was good in a double pivot with Roca when Leeds were looking to get at the away side, and they got that reward when McKennie started the move that led to the opening goal, finding Jack Harrison before he crossed to Luis Sinisterra.
My issue with McKennie is that it is very obvious he is not a player to sit in a two-man midfield, and is far more suited to having more freedom as a number eight akin to what Mateusz Klich brought to us, which is where his best play has come in more advanced positions.
Instead, we’re bringing out the worst qualities in him more often by playing him as a defensive midfielder trying to cover Tyler Adams, who usually plays to allow McKennie the license to get forward.
So far, it’s hard to see the value in signing McKennie permanently, but there have been two performances now at home this month (Forest, and Leicester), where he has looked the part.
It’s encouraging, but we’re begging for consistency, and he needs the same if not better against Bournemouth.
Would you be happy if Leeds paid €33m for McKennie?
Yes
No
At this stage, any improvement is needed from McKennie, who did have a better game against Leicester on Tuesday night.
Despite playing against a three man midfield as a two man pivot, he held his own against the Foxes. The issue is that it’s not enough and McKennie hasn’t been close to warranting a move in the summer.
So far, he’s probably had three or four appearances which make you want to sign him from Juventus. That is nowhere near enough for a player with his reputation.
The Whites need him to maintain the sort of level he showed against Leicester (or better it) as it will obviously give them a better chance to survive. It could also grant McKennie a permanent move if he improves.
However, the 24-year-old would probably be better off higher up as a natural number-eight or in a more freed up role.
Before the season is over, it would be good to see him played with Adam Forshaw and Marc Roca as a trio, giving him more license to get forward.