Latest news with #WestonMcKennie
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why McKennie is a problem for Juventus
Weston McKennie has 11 months left in his contract with Juventus, and talks over a new deal are stalling, giving the Bianconeri one more problem in this transfer window. Juventus are not only dealing with issues related to Dusan Vlahovic and Douglas Luiz, but the future of McKennie is also a matter of concern at the Allianz Stadium. McKennie issue for Juventus epa11889200 Juventus' Weston McKennie (L) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the UEFA Champions League play-offs first leg soccer match between Juventus FC and PSV Eindhoven, in Turin, Italy, 11 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO Sources with direct knowledge of the matter tell me that negotiations over a new contract beyond 2026 have been put on hold due to a big gap between offer and demand in terms of agent commissions. McKennie blocks Juventus transfers TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 11: Weston McKennie of Juventus celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Juventus and PSV at Allianz Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by) Therefore, with 11 months left before the end of his contract, the future of McKennie remains uncertain, and the current situation is preventing the Bianconeri from bringing in reinforcements in central midfield. If the two parties fail to reach an agreement over a new contract, Juventus will quickly need to find a club interested in McKennie and suitable for the American midfielder.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juventus and Roma weigh up McKennie & Cristante swap
Juventus and Roma are negotiating a potential swap deal for Weston McKennie and Bryan Cristante, the Italian press are reporting, with both clubs looking to gain something from the transfer. According to what has been reported by the Gazzetta dello Sport, via Goal, Juventus want to avoid losing McKennie on a free next summer and could therefore look to bring in experienced midfielder Cristante to plug the gap left by the American. epa11824638 Juventus's 'and Atalanta's Ademola Lookman in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC, in Bergamo, Italy, 14 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA What's in it for both clubs as McKennie-Cristante swap proposed? At 30, Cristante is four years older than his American counterpart. However, the reports suggest that Juventus are trying to make a concerted effort to increase the 'Italianness' of the club. The Bianconeri wish to increase the number of Italian players at the club and former Atalanta man Cristante has a lot of experience, both on and off the pitch, that he could bring to the club. Weston McKennie of Juventus scores his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Juventus and Manchester City at Juventus Stadium on December 11, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by) Meanwhile, the Giallorossi receive a player entering the prime years of his career. Although his spell at Juventus has been up-and-down, it is worthwhile noting that before sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli left the Bianconeri, McKennie was very close to signing a new deal. However, reported demands from the player's representatives made it difficult for the Old Lady to agree and thus the situation emerged that we find ourselves in now.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Just my opinion" — McKennie responds to Donovan criticism of USMNT stars
Weston McKennie has hit back at USMNT legend Landon Donovan after the retired forward criticized the national team absentees at the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup. Star players such as Christian Pulisic, Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, Timothy Weah, and McKennie will all be absent from the squad for the tournament this June. Advertisement 'This is what it means to represent your country," Donovan said over the weekend. "If you don't want to take it seriously as a professional soccer player and someone who gets the opportunity to wear the jersey, then don't come in." While the players are missing for a variety of reasons, including injury or Club World Cup campaigns, Weston McKennie felt Donovan's comments were wide of the mark. 'Obviously, none of us take for granted playing for the national team. None of us want to lose games," McKennie said. 'All of us want to compete. And for me, it's a little bit, I won't say sad, but as a former national team player, I think as a national team player pool – previous, present – I think it's more about trying to build or even say something like that to a person directly rather than putting it out there.' Advertisement Most notably, McKennie pointed out that past USMNT sides have failed to show up in big moments, specifically in 2017 when the Stars and Stripes failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia. 'That's just my opinion because we've all been through those moments, even when comments about us losing the Nations League were made by many players from before, but they've had the same thing on a bigger stage with not qualifying for the World Cup.' The United States will kick off their Gold Cup campaign on June 15 against Trinidad and Tobago. 📸 Hector Vivas - 2024 Getty Images
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juventus List Possibly Outbound Atletico Madrid Star
Juventus have had some contacts with Atletico Madrid centered around Nahuel Molina while they plot to revamp their right wing. The Argentinian could depart to recoup money after the Colchoneros spent big early in the summer, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs. The former Udinese star has a €25/30M valuation. It might be a tad high for the Bianconeri. They'll try to concoct a loan with an option or an obligation to buy. They often do so to dilute the disbursement. It remains to be seen whether they'll find fertile ground there. The counterparty could be interested in a few makeweights, Dusan Vlahovic, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Weston McKennie, if they wanted to broker a swap. In addition to Juventus, Molina also has suitors in England and the Saudi Pro League. He joined in a €20M move two years ago. He has totaled 7 goals and 13 assists in 135 matches in Spain, while he has hit the net 10 times. Instead, the 27-year-old has dished out 10 helpers in 68 Serie A games. He has 52 caps with Argentina and was part of the World Cup-winning squad. In the same role, Timothy Weah has reached an agreement with Olympique Marseille, but the two teams aren't that close yet. Sporting CP continues to track Alberto Costa, but the Old Lady demands a respectable figure. Porto have joined the race, offering a trade involving Joao Mario, Fabrizio Romano reports (via SOSFanta). Our Take on Juventus Eyeing Molina Aside from the left side of the defense, where they at least have options, this is the only role where they really need a new starter. This is the right caliber of player they should target and sign.
New York Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How USMNT's World Cup roster outlook changes after Gold Cup standouts emerge
There are two different conversations regarding what the U.S. men's national team will look like following this summer's Gold Cup. The first is about the roster we will see in September; the second is regarding the team that will represent the U.S. at next summer's World Cup. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino seemed chastened by a question about reintegrating the 'star' players of the American men's program after Sunday's 2-1 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final. Advertisement 'You already made the list?' Pochettino responded when asked about bringing back players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest. 'Or you ask artificial intelligence and you do the roster for next time?' 'I don't understand that question. Because for different [reasons], we have the roster that we have. All the American players have the possibility for September to be on the roster. It's up to us now to analyze, but all the names you told me, all are under scrutiny, and we are following them. 'It's still one year from the World Cup. But now we need to build a roster for September. And yes, we need to analyze every single player, see the circumstances, the situations, performance, fitness level. Don't worry. We are people that are very open, and not closed. And who deserves to be (there) will be (there).' It's a strong possibility we see the 11 players who started three straight knockout games for the U.S. in September's friendlies against South Korea and Japan. Pochettino has been consistent in rewarding players that he believes buy what he is selling and earn his trust. He spoke about it multiple times with players like Diego Luna and Patrick Agyemang getting reps with the U.S. team after January camp. So if you're doing roster bingo for September, expect to see Matt Freese, Max Arfsten, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Luna, Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter and Agyemang on the squad. Pochettino, rightly, will challenge other U.S. players to 'win back' their starting jobs. It goes back to something Pochettino said ahead of the Turkey game some 40 days ago. 'My first conversation we are going to have on (June 1) when we are all together is: 'Listen, guys. You have the possibility to defend your place. When you are now in the national team, it is not because you are here to try to replace people that (are) sure that (they are) going to be here. No, you have the possibility to defend your place. How you are going to defend your place, that is the important thing for us. You need to fight, you need to show attitude, the right attitude, but not only that, perform, and be brave, and follow the rules that we set in the group,'' Pochettino said. 'I think it is really important for us. And of course they need to know that they … are going to compete in a fair way with different people that maybe are not involved today in this squad.' Advertisement Pochettino told us the next steps. These players will now have a chance to 'defend their place.' Over the next few windows, however, Pochettino has to get all of his best players into the fold, repair relationships and lean on quality. And that's when the roster that we see in September evolves into the squad we'll see represent the country on home soil at the 2026 World Cup. With that said and the U.S.'s last tournament dress rehearsal in the rear-view mirror, here is my predicted 26-man World Cup roster (and yes, I'm assuming that FIFA will allow for 26 players). For comparison sake, this is what we had prior to the Gold Cup. Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner Someone has to step up at this position. Matt Freese didn't sell me that he can be a World Cup-caliber goalkeeper, his penalty heroics vs. Costa Rica notwithstanding. We'll see if any of the younger options step up this year, but I think it'll be Turner-Steffen 1-2 in the pecking order come next summer. Experience will matter (so, too, will health and playing time, which the selected trio here are all combatting). Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Joe Scally, Antonee Robinson, Walker Zimmerman Freeman performed well enough to make the roster, and I think Arfsten's inability to defend against Concacaf opponents opened the door for Scally to be on this roster. He is limited going forward, but ultimately you need defenders who can defend. Center back remains a big trouble area for this group. Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Johnny Cardoso, Luca de la Torre, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman Let's not get caught up going too deep into the depth chart for the World Cup. Adams, Cardoso, McKennie, Musah and Tillman will be expected to play the minutes next summer. Advertisement Folarin Balogun, Diego Luna, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, Haji Wright Winger for me is a massive black hole beyond Pulisic and Weah. Luna can play inverted, but the U.S. has few options to look at for players who can stretch a back line. For now, Wright gets the spot. At the World Cup level, you need strikers who can compete physically and have a presence in front of goal. After the Gold Cup, you cannot convince me that Agyemang is a better choice than Sargent. I keep going back to U.S.-Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup round of 16, when injuries forced Jesús Ferreira into the starting lineup. Sargent performed admirably against Wales, helping to set up the goal, and in the other U.S. games. The Gold Cup was a missed opportunity to build his confidence and get him some goals. At the World Cup next summer, I lean on quality and experience. Agyemang just didn't convince me. If you want a big body late in the games, you have Wright.
