McKennie: 'I could have taken the easy way out'

Weston McKennie has become one of Juventus’s most reliable performers this season, a long way from the time when the club seemed ready to move him on. The midfielder returned to Turin after a difficult loan at Leeds and chose to fight for his place rather than seek a quicker exit.

He eventually signed a contract extension that keeps him at the Allianz Stadium until 2030. Speaking on The Cooligans podcast, McKennie said he deliberately ignored the exit door, accepting the hard path of competing for a starting role and training through uncertainty.

McKennie also addressed repeated online criticism about his physical condition and lifestyle, saying much of what is written would not be said in person. He noted that questions about weight have been discussed, but pointed out that he often covers more ground in matches than teammates.

Italy, Turin

weston mckennie, juventus, allianz stadium, contract extension, 2030, leeds, the cooligans, midfielder, weight, training