Another excellent game from Wes today. Played right back and shut down Rafa Leao and Theo Hernandez very effectively. Made a number of nice passes and really solid decision making on his part. He's really displaying a lot of tactical nous these days, making his team much stronger on both offense and defensive sides of the ball. He's very good at seeing space and attacking it with passes that allow teammates to run onto the ball without having to adjust or slow their pace. He also sees danger very well on defense, making the right moves to cut off passing lanes and prevent attackers from being able to receive the ball in optimal positions. Lastly, his overall technique has been outstanding, especially recently, be it ball captures from awkward positions, flicks to teammates or possession and dribbling moves. Really impressive.
At the expense of looking too far ahead of Brugges, Wes should rest during the midweek and prepare for Napoli at the weekend.
When I first came to the US, I found PB&J disgusting and also thought it was a completely insane idea for a food. Now I quite like it.
It seems that Wes is suffering some wear and tear and is questionable for the next game. https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Seri...ione-ma-mckennie-e-a-rischio-per-bruges.shtml The key passage: Juve breathes a sigh of relief for Yildiz, but in view of Bruges they also risk losing McKennie. The American is in fact struggling with fatigue in the flexor of his left leg: no risk of injury but he will be evaluated only tomorrow to understand if he will be able to leave for the Champions League away match.
McKennie has been doing well as a right back. Thiago Motta saw McKennie as a fullback, and believes McKennie's skillset makes him an asset out wide. His versatility and understanding of the game from defensive midfielder to attacking mid, central defender and even striker. McKennie recently said he can play many positions. He kind of reminds me of Leonardo Bonucci who also scored some goals , even though he was a defender. I think Bonucci was a better defender but Weston is just beginning to play the position so he could still grow.
Imagine if Wes were given time and space to learn one position, and learn it well. He's been shuttled around his whole career.
This is so true. He's proven to be very good at any position they play him and shows signs of more than that once in a while as he gets more time there. Then he's moved. Repeat. Hard to say how good he could get at any one position but it's better than we've seen out of him yet.
I wonder if McKennie is the type of player who would get bored playing just one position. It almost seems like you need to invite a little drama and chaos to get the most out of him.
At this point its part of the lore.Someone has to bring it up.I've always enjoyed Wes and how he has defied every naysayer. It could be worse -I could post best XIs for the Nats and never once put him in like some do.IYKYK.
Maybe Wes should whip up a batch of this for the next team dinner: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/brad-sorenson/ranch-risotto-recipe-2105120
Isn't he just covering as a RB/LB due to other injuries? It seemed like Motta was playing him in the midfield at first. I still think he is thought of as a CM first but with injuries he always turns into a utility player. You would know more than me but does Motta really view him as a defender now?
No, he most likely isn’t viewing McKennie as a defender in the long run but Motta by what is written in the Italian papers and said on TV and radio as well as by fans, isn’t highly respected as a manager. Despite the fact that they are undefeated, they say Motta's tactics are too conservative and he isn’t ready or experienced to coach a big club like Juventus. Unless they make up a lot of points the rest of the way or win a trophy, he will probably be gone at the end of the season. They are still in the Italian Cup , the Champion league knockout phase play-offs and then there is the FIFA Club World Cup this summer so Motta may be kept on but who knows.
For those who follow the league closely, how's McKennie in the regard for top midfielders? Is he a top 20 MF in the league?
Looks like you copied from my draft. My thoughts exactly. His worst moments have been when he was comfortable and complacent
Not respected as a manager, or a manager for Juve? What was the media thought on him as a manager for Bologna?
The media thought Motta performed miracles at Bologna for getting them to the Champions League. Juventus though, for the Serie A and Italy, is another story. At the end of last year, the fans had it with Allegri as well but by comparison, Max was a much better coach.
I promise you, the thread will continue to be fine in the absence of lazy fat jokes. No one has to bring it up.