McKennie 'a Nuisance' in Defense Again

 McKennie Has Started the Last Five Matches as a Left-Back

Weston McKennie's remarkable versatility has been put to the test at Juventus this season, with the American midfielder finding himself in an unlikely role as a left-back amid the club's defensive crisis. 

While McKennie has adapted admirably to various positions, transitioning from the bench to dynamic central midfielder and now to fullback, recent performances suggest this makeshift solution may not be sustainable. The limitations of this tactical adjustment were particularly evident in the Supercoppa Italia semi-final against AC Milan, where McKennie struggled against Christian Pulisic.

On Sunday, Juventus' winless run extended to four matches in the 1-1 draw with Torino's — McKennie fifth-straight at left-back. He completed 49-of-52 passes and had four clearances. He was involved in an early altercation with the Torino bench when he went over for a throw-in. It was enough for the Torino bench to confront McKennie and his teammates, but after a couple of pleasantries and handshakes, play resumed.

Fellow American Tim Weah replaced Samuel Mbangula in the 77th minute and within a few touches, he immediately unleashed a long-distance effort that needed to be saved. It was the third time off the bench in as many matches.

Juventus's need to address their defensive depth has become increasingly urgent. The season-ending ACL injury to Juan Cabal, coupled with Danilo potentially heading toward the exit door, has left the squad thin at the back. While Jonas Rouhi hasn't consistently impressed and Andrea Cambiaso is dealing with fitness issues, the club appears to be exploring transfer market solutions.

The club's current situation could lead to changes in the January transfer window, with reports linking them to Barcelona's Ronald Araújo as their primary defensive target. The Bianconeri are also evaluating internal options, including the potential return of Riccardo Turicchia from his loan spell at Catanzaro, though the young fullback's limited playing time in Serie B raises questions about his readiness for top-flight football. For now, McKennie continues to fill in at left-back, demonstrating his commitment to the team's needs despite playing out of his natural position.