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Assessing USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie’s transfer options

By Robert Wheeler

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 03: Weston McKennie of United States of America during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 03: Weston McKennie of United States of America during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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There has been a lot of speculation about Weston McKennie’s next destination recently. Following an impressive World Cup, where McKennie played in all four of the USMNT’s games, there are a lot of suitors for the midfielder.

McKennie has not always been a first-choice starter for Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus. This season he has played in 11 Serie A games, scoring once and making one assist.

The Old Lady is also facing financial issues, recently their whole board of directors resigned due to an investigation of false accounting.

According to the Italian website Calciomercato, McKennie is valued at €30m but could go for less and could leave as early as January. Clubs including Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have all been interested in the player.

Should Weston McKennie sign with Borussia Dortmund?

Dortmund has a history of helping develop talented USMNT players, Christian Pulisic came through there and moved on to Chelsea. Now Giovanni Reyna is currently at the club and flourishing.

There have been a lot of rumours about Jude Bellingham departing the club, and McKennie would be a like-for-like replacement for the Black and Yellow in midfield.

However, McKennie is a former Schalke 04 player, who is a local rival to Dortmund in Gelsenkirchen. Whilst the move may make sense on a footballing level, it would not go down well with his old club’s supporters.

Should Weston McKennie sign with Aston Villa?

It may seem like a step-down for McKennie to join Aston Villa, but the club have recently appointed Unai Emery as manager following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.

The club is ambitious and believes it should definitely be higher than its current 12th position in the Premier League. Also, McKennie would be one of Villa’s most talented players and would get some much-needed game time.

Villa has a good side, which includes Emiliano Martínez, Matty Cash, Danny Ings and John McGinn. McKennie would be a great addition to their lineup and would no doubt help propel them up the league table.

Should Weston McKennie sign with Chelsea, or Spurs?

Moving to Chelsea would definitely be a tempting move. However, as a fellow USMNT player in Pulisic found out at the club, a starting place is difficult to secure, possibly putting McKennie off.

The Blues do have an American owner in Todd Boehly, who would like to see many of the Stars and Stripes players at his club.

He would face tough competition for a starting place with Jorginho and Mateo Kovačić. But McKennie has played for two massive clubs in Schalke 04 and Juventus so will be up for the challenge.

The same goes for a potential move to Tottenham, who are currently fourth in the Premier League, whilst Chelsea is eighth. Spurs have a strong midfield too, consisting of Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

McKennie is still only 24, so must choose his next destination wisely. He is a key part of the USMNT’s midfield, alongside Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams. His nation is preparing to co-host the 2026 World Cup, and McKennie must make sure he finds a club where he can play regularly, ahead of the tournament.

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