It doesn’t hurt that head coach David Wagner, although born in Germany, played for the USA in the late 1990s. Giovanni Reyna, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams have all played in the Champions League this season. In soccer, there are big clubs and Big Clubs. “I could name 20 top-class players who have been developed by Norbert, and this is a big advantage we have.”. A versatile player, McKennie is capable of playing in a multitude of positions in midfield—mainly as a box-to-box or as a deep-lying defensive midfielder. Juventus’ American midfielder Weston McKennie celebrates after scoring during a Serie A match against Bologna last week in Turin. In recent years, both Michael Bradley (from Chievo Verona to AS Roma) and Clint Dempsey (from Fulham to Tottenham Hotspur) moved from teams happy to avoid relegation to teams targeting the Champions League. “It’s an honor to be here,” the 22-year-old midfielder said in the local language after becoming the first American to join the famous Italian team. The conditions and calculus changed, and reports filtering out of Italy and Germany that Juventus was interested in McKennie were met with surprise—not because McKennie didn’t warrant the attention, but because the Bianconeri hadn’t shown much interest in American players before. Not a speedboat or a kayak, but something like a commercial fishing trawler, a clipper ship or Roman Abramovich’s latest superyacht. But I think he will not return to Schalke next summer,” Schneider said. It ranked among the world’s top 10 in average attendance. According to Football Italia, Juventus are eager to sign McKennie permanently regardless of whether he meets the sporting requirements. Top to bottom, the Premier League is more competitive than the Bundesliga and its players perform under a brighter global spotlight. One could make a case that a move to Hertha might represent a small step up considering Schalke’s current financial situation, but the capital club is hardly a European heavyweight. “Before COVID, I would not have sold him for this amount of money. “I think the academies of the American clubs are getting better and better, and the young American kids are really well developed when they come over—technically especially, not as much in tactics,” Schneider said. "Having the opportunity to wear this shirt, representing my country and bringing young Americans closer to football makes me proud.”, He added, “There was no need to convince me to come to Juventus, because being here is a dream that has become a reality.”. He’s not playing against you twice a year. Once there, a select few have taken a significant step up in competitive level. He’s still a great player—still a fantastic person. This is part of our philosophy. “When we extended Weston’s contract just one year ago, we didn’t expect him leaving in the summer of 2020,” Schneider explained. He’s a smart guy. The next American graduate of that academy is Nick Taitague, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder/winger from the Richmond, Va., area who has earned promotion to Schalke’s first team after three years at the club. Again, one could argue that a transfer to St. Mary’s would be a small step up. Schalke 04 is a big club. It’s an aircraft carrier. There are not so many big clubs in the world and Juventus is certainly one of those, and it’s tough to say to a player, ‘No you cannot go to Juventus.’ If they would’ve come with a ridiculous offer we would’ve said ‘No,’ but at the end of the day it was a good agreement for all parties.”. Photograph: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images This was clear.”. Juventus opens its Serie A season on Sept. 20 against Sampdoria. McKennie’s was up for discussion. “The fact that Juventus have moved the permanent transfer deal for McKennie forward gives us more planning security with a view to next season,” said Schalke 04 director of finance Christina Rühö-Hamers in a statement on their official website. "But we would’ve also found an agreement with a German club if that’s where he wanted to go.”. ALLIANZ STADIUM, TURIN, ITALY - 2021/02/06: Weston McKennie of Juventus FC reacts during the Serie A ... [+] football match between Juventus FC and AS Roma. The lack of match-day revenue since the Bundesliga shut down temporarily in early March, plus Schalke’s failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in four of the past five seasons (not to mention that 2020-21 will be the third in four without European football of any kind), has hit the bottom line hard. Weston McKennie Early Years in Career Football: When Kenny’s family returned to Texas, he tried juggling soccer with American football to no avail. The 22-year-old has signed a contract at the Serie A champions until June 2025, the club have confirmed on Wednesday with a statement on their official website. I am the Senior. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. The agreement was complex, as it included a one-year loan and terms that gave Juventus the option, or even the obligation, to purchase McKennie’s rights outright. When you look into his face, he looks like he’s 16 or 17. Here's a quick primer. Eventually, he became focused on soccer and joined the vaunted FC Dallas Academy in 2009. We’re now used to seeing American players move to Europe and move within Europe. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images). TURIN, Italy -- It’s official: Midfielder Weston McKennie has become the first American player at Juventus. “When we didn’t qualify for Europe, plus COVID, that brought us to the decision that we had to sell one player. But Southampton still is as likely to be relegated as it is to qualify for the Europa League. These are the words American football player @[200226303952377:274:Weston McKennie] shared with us to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth. If he stays there permanently or if he will come back. USA’s Weston McKennie has made three appearances for Juventus so far. But that second figure could rise to as high as €25.5 million ($30.2 million) if McKennie and/or the club hit certain benchmarks. Juventus have completed the permanent signing of USMNT international Weston McKennie from Schalke in an €18.5 million ($22.3 million, £16 million) deal, payable over three years. Weston James Earl McKennie (born August 28, 1998) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Italian club Juventus, on loan from Schalke 04, and the United States national team. Moreover, it’s obsessed with winning the Champions League. There’s also at least one milestone that would obligate Juventus to buy: if McKennie appears in at least 60% of its games this season, according to a Sky Sports report. After three sudden death tiebreaker holes, Sergio Garcia knocked out Lee Westwood with a walk-off ace to advance in the WGC Match Play Championship. The Bianconeri will pay Schalke 04 a fee of $22,3 million with a future add-on of $7,8 million payable depending on performance-related issues. He’s an attacking midfielder from San Diego. “Since the restart of the Bundesliga, he was by far the best player [at Schalke] and in certain matches, by himself he was carrying the team,” said Schneider, who spent more than three years at Red Bull before arriving in Gelsenkirchen. “He’s still young. As for the rest of the current transfer window, there’s still almost a month remaining. Christian Pulisic’s $73 million move from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea set a new bar, not only in value but in terms of a Big Club’s recognition of potential in a young American player. But sometimes those conditions separate the big clubs from the Big Clubs, and in the end McKennie’s transfer was the best move for the long term. You’ll get tossed about. ‘Are you ready for this step?’ If he says ‘Yes,’ and we find an agreement with the club which also helps our club, money-wise, then I think it’s time to let the player go,” Schneider said. It took one unexpected phone call to Germany last month to set significant change in motion. I cover Italy's Serie A and international competitions. He’s still a young kid. “We just extended his contract this summer [for one season with two option years]. McKennie earned 44% of the total votes, beating other notable stars like Chelsea’s Chrisitian Pulisic (27%) and Barca’s Sergino Dest (14%). Beyond Barcelona and Real Madrid, Juventus is arguably the most famous European team that’s never featured an American. Behind Taitague is striker Matthew Hoppe, a 19-year-old from Orange County, Calif., who chose Schalke over playing college soccer at San Diego State. His performances not only stunned Juventus’ coach Andrea Pirlo but also turned him into the most prolific US player in the history of Serie A - Italy’s top-flight competition. Schneider and Schalke clearly wish conditions were different. Hertha Berlin was interested. Imagine a storm at sea, with waves and fierce winds. So there are many reasons why Weston was such an attractive target.”. Weston McKennie, (8-28-1998, Texas, USA) is becoming Juventus' surprise player. Juventus FC won 2-0 over AS Roma. There’s a U.S. connection there—Ibišević went to high school and college in St. Louis. The loan fee is €4.5 million ($5.3 million), and at the end of the 2020-21 season, Juventus can make the move permanent with an additional minimum of €18.5 million ($21.9 million). “Wes has proven to be a very important resource for Coach Pirlo, having already put his signature on important performances and goals. But it’s taken on water. Juve’s last continental triumph came back in 1996, and its recent run of unprecedented domestic dominance has led to just two runner-up finishes. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, first American to sign with mighty Juventus, Juve was cruising to a ninth consecutive Serie A championship, Blaise Matuidi to MLS expansion team Inter Miami, Matthew Hoppe, a 19-year-old from Orange County, Calif. “I wouldn’t say we are a rich club right now, but we are still one of the biggest clubs in Europe when we talk about members, when we talk about fan base, when we talk about spectators home or away,” said Jochen Schneider, Schalke’s director of sport. This would be a massive step up. Schneider did confirm he wasn’t contacted by the latter. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The US international spent four years in Germany and made 91 appearances for Schalke 04, but the Bundesliga club - currently sitting in the last position of the table - found itself in an uncertain financial situation after the COVID-19 pandemic. JUVENTUS have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Weston McKennie for an initial £16million. “Then we have to bring the next one in and give this player a chance to develop like Weston did. Weston McKennie Federico Chiesa The 22-year-old Texan became the first player from the United States to play for the Turin giants when he arrived from Bundesliga club Schalke last summer on loan. I think this is something normal,” Schneider said. USA midfielder Weston McKennie made his Bundesliga debut for Schalke in May 2017 at the age of 18. We probably have the best under-19 coach in Europe, Norbert Elgert,” Schneider said. Under Pirlo management, McKennie improved his versatility and became the youngest midfielder in this league with at least four goals, which places him high in the running for the top US players in Europe this season. Weston James Earl McKennie (born August 28, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Juventus and the United States national team. My focus is on Serie A, with a keen eye for European, Southern American and international competitions. And those who follow or work in the sport are well aware of the differences. The club must ride out this storm. But in this very difficult transfer market, it was O.K. “First of all, he’s a great football player. And that’s where stronger American ties can be found. Among them, Weston McKennie has impressed at Juventus, Sergino Dest excelled for Barcelona in the last 16 despite being knocked out by Paris St-Germain, Tyler Adams scored the goal that took RB Leipzig to the semi-finals last year and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic and Borussia Dortmund’s Giovanni Reyna are … Back at Schalke, the process Schneider described—“to bring the next one in”—continues. I know that they see a long-term investment in him and that Juventus, they don’t want to keep him just for one year. Schneider wouldn’t confirm the identity of McKennie’s other suitors, but Sports Illustrated understands that Southampton initially was the most interested team beyond German borders. Italian soccer giant Juventus have exercised the option to make USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie’s move from German side Schalke 04 permanent. I am a football (soccer) journalist passionate about everything related to the beautiful game, from live matches to football business and stadiums. Oscar De La Hoya hasn't fought since losing to Manny Pacquiao in December 2008, four months before he announced his retirement. “When we are on the path to make a decision like this, it’s always about the development of the player and the development of the club. He just turned 22. The Big Clubs are now welcoming Americans aboard. They were later in their careers, however. This is how Weston McKennie, a 22-year-old midfielder with three Bundesliga seasons already under his belt, wound up becoming the first American to sign with mighty Juventus. There are Americans aged 22 or younger at RB Leipzig, a Champions League semifinalist, and former winners Ajax and Chelsea. It was mid-August, and Juve’s first point of contact was Michael Reschke, the Schalke technical director who previously had dealt with the Italian club while working for Bayern Munich. To be honest, it was O.K.,” Schneider acknowledged. But when Juventus showed up, this is probably one of the top six clubs in the world. Additionally, Pirlo’s team will have a busy schedule ahead, facing SS Lazio on Saturday in the league before hosting FC Porto for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg. Amid his rise through the club ranks, he was also rising through the youth national team … SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Juventus’ number 14 has shown remarkable tactical intelligence and injected a sense of dynamism into the Bianconeri midfield, showing the potential to play a key role for the Italian giants in the future. And the Bianconeri could not be happier with him. McKennie was officially loaned to Serie A side Juventus last week from Bundesliga club Schalke, providing a new and exciting opportunity for the young … The home page of the US Football Federation yesterday announced midfielder Weston McKennie was voted Men’s Player of the Year 2020 for excellence in the past year. And when Schalke first put up the “For Sale” sign–its season concluded at the end of June—it looked like the American’s most likely move was a lateral one. But the organization does have faith in them. What Role Does Christian Pulisic Have To Play In Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea? On January 20 he also won the first trophy of his professional career, when Juventus defeated SSC Napoli 2-0 in the Italian Super Cup final. The former Schalke 04 player has scored five goals and provided two assists in his 33 appearances for Juventus so far this season. © 2021 ABG-SI LLC. You’re worried there might be a bit of damage once it’s all over, but you’re not worried about survival. Juventus is a Big Club. Juve is a giant of the global game, a tradition-rich club that’s been home to a litany of renowned players and which now features the sport’s greatest attention magnet, Cristiano Ronaldo. We communicated that quite openly and that’s why other clubs approached us and said, ‘Listen, we would be interested to sign Weston McKennie.’”, “It’s a combination of many reasons,” Schneider said. You’re a big boat. While Juve was cruising to a ninth consecutive Serie A championship, Schalke was battered following the May restart. This is how Weston McKennie, a 22-year-old midfielder with three Bundesliga seasons already under his belt, wound up becoming the first American to sign with mighty Juventus. One week after joining his new club for training, Weston McKennie was introduced to Italian media on Monday with a new challenge on the horizon in Italy. Quick and strong, smart and technical all at the same time, he is a rare breed of footballer and a sign of the times in the … On the water, there are big boats, and there are Big Boats. Italian soccer giant Juventus have exercised the option to make USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie’s move from German side Schalke 04 permanent. Then came the call. Among them, it was McKennie, the FC Dallas product, who attracted the most interest. He’s not the tallest one. The bill is the third one passed in the U.S. this year. They’re in a good process to make him match-fit, so that he will be able to play on this level,” Schneider said. McKennie FaceTimed with new Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo and told Schneider that he found the World Cup winner and former Juve (and New York City FC) midfielder “quite impressive.” And McKennie didn’t feel like he’d be moving to Turin to sit on the bench. It's impossible not to think about his goal against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, or the one in the Derby della Mole - his first in the black and white jersey.” reads a statement on the Juventus website. © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. This is what helps them a lot when they come to Europe at such a young age.”. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images), New York Jets Closely Monitor BYU’s Zach Wilson While Other Teams Jockey For Draft Position Behind Them. “We talk to the player. And now, improbably, there’s a U.S. international at Juventus. McKennie was unveiled on Monday and, showing off the smarts that Schneider mentioned, savvily opened his press conference with a bit of Italian. TURIN – Weston McKennie opened his first news conference as a Juventus player on Monday with a bit of cultural flair, speaking in Italian. It’s going to be a win-win situation. Schneider said that he expects Juventus to keep McKennie beyond this season, but that if something unanticipated occurred and he was returned to Gelsenkirchen, the American would be received with open arms. There’s a 19-year-old from South Florida, Konrad de la Fuente, at Barcelona B. Juventus FC won 2-0 over AS Roma. Alexander Povetkin Vs. Dillian Whyte II: Odds, Records, Prediction, Rashard Higgins Looking To ‘Run It Back’ With Cleveland Browns, Rashard Higgins On Returning To The Cleveland Browns: ‘A No-Brainer’, Baseball’s Most Valuable Teams: New York Yankees On Top At $5.25 Billion, San Francisco 49ers Will Listen To Jimmy Garoppolo Trade Offers, 5 Takeaways From The San Francisco 49ers’ Blockbuster NFL Draft Trade With The Miami Dolphins. If anything, Juventus has been shedding some midfield age and salary this offseason, sending 30-year-old midfielder Miralem Pjanić to Barcelona (with Arthur Melo coming the other way) and 33-year-old Blaise Matuidi to MLS expansion team Inter Miami. Weston McKennie’s player radar from this season. Schalke has won domestic and European trophies and according to Deloitte’s annual Football Money League report, it’s the 15th wealthiest team on the planet with 2018-19 revenue exceeding $380 million. In half a season, McKennie scored the same amount of goals he netted in four years at Schalke 04, certifying his exceptional improvement. And as far as we can find a reasonable solution for the club money-wise, then it’s just fair and necessary to not stand in the players way to move.”. The 22-year-old American has spent the season on loan at the Old Lady from Schalke. This American football star just found out why Italian television presenter Diletta Leotta has more than seven million Instagram followers. TURIN, Italy (AP) — Weston McKennie opened his first news conference as a Juventus player on Monday with a bit of cultural flair, speaking in Italian. He still has three years on his contract. Weston McKennie has joined Juventus on a season-long loan from Schalke and will become the first American to play for the Italian champions, the Serie A club announced on Saturday.... more » 10.06.2020 13:30 But he has a great spirit and is hardworking and we are quite optimistic that he will play a good season, and that he can make an impact on our game.”. Nearly every NFL team was in attendance as Zach Wilson showed off his arm strength, throwing multiple off-balance passes that went 50 yards. Other clubs reportedly floated to the surface, including AS Monaco and Liverpool. “This club is used to playing European football and the size of the club, the number of employees, the wages we pay to players—everything needs European football.

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