USMNT star Weston McKennie admits to having ‘let people down’ during his failed loan spell at Leeds but insists the experience is helping him flourish at Juventus
- The 25-year-old midfielder withdrew from the US camp before the loss to Trinidad & Tobago
- He was joined by Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams as American players at Leeds
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American Weston McKennie has admitted he ‘let some people down’ during his forgettable loan spell at Leeds last season after failing to prevent the Whites from being relegated.
The 25-year-old midfielder has found his feet at Juventus this season under manager Massimiliano Allegri, since returning to Italy in the summer.
He has played in all 12 of the club’s Serie A matches so far this season and is an integral part of the starting lineup for the US Men’s National Team. He played all 90 minutes in the first leg of the Star and Stripes’ CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Trinidad and Tobago.
But earlier this year the Washington native faced the wrath of Leeds fans after registering just one assist while picking up seven yellow cards in 19 Premier League games as the Yorkshire club’s bid to avoid relegation was ultimately unsuccessful.
Leeds finished in second place in the 2022/23 season, with McKennie and two other Americans in the team, midfielder Tyler Adams and forward Brenden Aaronson.
American midfielder Weston McKennie, 25, has played all 12 of Juventus’ Serie A matches this year
‘I didn’t perform the best. I felt like I was letting certain people down,” McKennie told Sky Sport Italia of his long time in England.
“But ultimately, when I came back, I think it was important for me in general to have an experience like that, for that to happen to me at this point in my career, because when I came back I felt like I was here for came back first.
‘When I first came to Juventus, no one knew who I was, everyone doubted me, everyone was against me and I think it was important for me because it gave me another pat on the back.
McKennie was unable to prevent Leeds from avoiding relegation in the Premier League last season
“That’s when I perform the best and prove that I can do it and that I belong, so it was nice to come back and have that feeling again.”
Before the US’s shock defeat to Trinidad and Tobago on Monday, McKennie withdrew from the squad due to injury.
However, it is still unclear whether he will be fit for Juventus’ crucial league match against rival Inter Milan on Sunday.
Inter currently lead Serie A with 31 points, while Juventus have jumped to second place with 29 points, while the Bianconeri are on a five-match winning streak.