Bad news: Weston McKennie picked up a knock in a recent Juventus training session.
Good news: It’s not actually going to keep him from playing.
Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri gave U.S. men’s national team fans a scare on Friday, telling reporters that the U.S. midfielder has a new, unspecified injury, but also that it is not actually a concern.
“McKennie is fine,” said Allegri, speaking ahead of the Bianconeri’s Serie A match at Sassuolo, when asked about the Texan’s status. “I’ll take a look at him today.”
Given McKennie’s injury history and his promising play since returning to Juventus, any reports of an issue — particularly an update as vague as this one — will be a worry for the USMNT until we see the 25-year-old playing without issues.
Allegri: Weah ‘settling in well’
That said, it’s theoretically possible that the issue could keep McKennie on the sideline for a week or so, just for cautionary measures. Who would likely step in? Another USMNT star, as Tim Weah has been splitting time with McKennie as the right wingback in Allegri’s 3-5-2 system.
In the same press conference, Allegri discussed Weah’s start to life in Turin following an €11 million summer move from Lille.
“Weah is a good option,” said Allegri. “He’s settling in well after just a few months in Italy but I’m happy with the way he’s integrating.”
McKennie and Weah have both appeared in each of Juve’s four Serie A matches this season, truly working as a platoon covering the club’s need at right wingback. Weah started the Bianconeri’s first two matches of the season, with McKennie replacing him late in each. In the more recent pair of games, that dynamic was flipped, with Weah coming in off the bench for McKennie in both.
[lawrence-related id=28489,28413,24592]