Weston McKennie has been linked with a summer move to Villa Park; could Unai Emery be the guy to help him reach his full potential?
Weston McKennie to join Aston Villa?
The last nine months have been a whirlwind for both fans and players at Villa Park.
Whereas under Steven Gerrard, the team appeared set for yet another agonizing relegation struggle, the introduction of Spanish mastermind Emery radically changed the club’s path for the second half of the season.
Whereas they were formerly fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation, they were now competing for European football with Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brentford, eventually qualifying for the Conference League.
With this considerable improvement in fortunes and Emery at the helm, the club began to be connected with higher-profile players.
The recruitment of Youri Tielemans on a free transfer was regarded as a coup, given that he had been widely connected with Arsenal for much of the previous year.
Nonetheless, the recent purchase of Villarreal center-back Pau Torres indicates an evident improvement in the caliber of players the West Midlands club had previously been able to attract, as he has been linked to Spurs, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich.
However, the name most recently linked with a move to Villa Park is one that the British public may be less enthusiastic about: American midfielder McKennie.
The Juventus player spent part of last season on a disastrous loan to Leeds United, which resulted in the club getting relegated, but that hasn’t stopped Villa from showing interest in him, according to Calciomercato.
According to the Italian outlet, while the Turin club formerly valued their American acquisition at roughly €40 million (£34 million), his dismal performances in the last year or so mean they would likely seek for less, with Football Transfers valuing him at around £18 million.
What has Jones said about Aston Villa and Weston McKennie?
Jones acknowledged that the general Premier League public may hold a negative opinion of McKennie, but believes his total quality throughout his career might make signing him a “masterstroke” from Villa.
“I don’t think McKennie would be a misstep in the market for Unai Emery, but he could actually be a masterstroke,” he told GIVEMESPORT. Nobody else is interested in him right now.
“In England, yeah, that loan has tarnished him a little.” I’d say it’s more because he couldn’t find his groove and became a victim in such a way that their season was cut short.
“He’s a fantastic player in the right situation.” I believe he has the potential to be a tremendous success in the Premier League. I know he’s still eager to make things work and would gladly take another shot if he could.”
How talented is Weston McKennie?
There is no denying that the six months the Fort Lewis-born dynamo spent in Yorkshire last season have seriously damaged his reputation, especially amongst Premier League fans, but when looking at his whole body of work, it is easy to see that period for what it was, a blip.
Looking back at his prior seasons, it’s clear that he possesses the qualities needed to make an impact at Aston Villa. He averaged a rating of 6.73 in the 2021/22 Serie A season, and a rating of 6.68 the previous season, according to WhoScored.
His underlying figures, while not exceptional, indicate that he would be a solid player in a structured side like Emery’s.
FBref ranks him in the top 23% of players in a similar position throughout Europe’s top five leagues for blocks, the top 26% for clearances and aerial duals won, and the top 29% for progressive passes received, all per 90.
There were however moments of brilliance for the 24-year-old during his brief spell at Leeds, most notably his performance against Fulham, which prompted Phil Hay of The Athletic to say:
“I’ve been impressed by McKennie’s movement and interplay so far tonight.” Constantly providing an option.”
If Villa can recruit McKennie for just £18 million, they should take the chance; if he can regain his form, he will be a valuable asset to the Villains’ European and league campaigns next season.
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