Transfer Guru Graeme Bailey on The Football Show on Sirus stated he is number two on the list for several big clubs in the EPL if they do not get the number one choice. Tottenham, Arsenal among those. Leeds and Leicester City being other teams in the race.
Well, it seemed like he had better options available. His choice though. Now they need to grab some results.
Gets his foot in the door of the EPL and with a team where he's their first choice and not their second or third so he's more likely to get significant playing time. Look good for months left in this season and your value only goes up in the eyes of the league. It's a gamble but he probably needs the infusion of energy the move will give him and getting away from the B movie that is Juve right now isn't dumb. Not my choice for him long term but I think a decent gamble for him and he's willing to bet on himself.
Realistically, tho, he’s got to have a relegation out, and I don’t know how much worse your bargaining position is jumping off an epl club on the drop versus an Italian club who may finally be facing serious financial reckoning. He’s jumping off the titanic onto one of the less stable life boats. But there are rescue ships - and sharks - in those waters. Eventually, in this market, quality wills out. Does he have enough time to show it? Hopefully, the lifeboat stays afloat and that question is moot. (Upon rereading this post I can confirm it was not written by chatgpt, it just reads like it was.)
Presumably if he's number two for several clubs they may have the same #1. Arsenal seems like a relatively good fit since Xhaka is getting up in age. At one point it looked like Partey's personal issues was going to make him surplus to requirements but I don't get that sense anymore.
This is my thought on the move. Honestly, anywhere but Juve is good for him, and even if Leeds do go down, he's had several years of CL experience and won a starting spot on a decently stacked team... others in the Premier League will want him!
Leeds United fits him to a T with their high-pressing all out attacking football..They will surely beat the drop with McKennie in the fold. With Arsenal, not sure he'd get too many starts with Xaka and Partley.
I think Leeds fanbase is pretty level compared to many other clubs. But I do agree that Marsch needs points ASAP. I cant believe he isn't gone already. If they do drop all of our boys are too expensive to keep so will get sold on anyway. Might as well enjoy seeing the band together while we can. McKennie and Adams anyway, I think Aaronson is heading to the bench and its deserved.
It is not really the forum for this but I will just briefly say that it could pay dividends to have some of our core players training and playing together consistently. In the end, if Leeds is able to stay up and improve in the standings next season then I think this will be a win. Time will tell. I think Wes fits the Leeds Style of play to a tee when he is fit so I am eager to see what impact he makes.
It’s about his potential club so it’s absolutely relevant to here. also, concentrated positions can pay off very well, but often burn everyone in the long run.
I can see your initial point... the move to Leeds is a step down WRT Euro Comps as in there are none. But if the US is going to continue to develop into a legit Soccer Nation we have to start viewing multiple Yanks on the same top 5 Euro Team as a positive IMO.
If the US is going to continue to develop as a soccer nation it will be because the MLS continues to improve and US produces more and more top five Euro talent, not because fans agree or disagree on whether having 3 Americans on Leeds is good or questionable.
You just made my point... there is a finite number of clubs in Europe so it stands to reason if we continue to add more players in the top 5 leagues then we are going to have clubs with 3 Yanks on it.
Whether or not there is intentionality to it, Marsch is padding his resume strengths that he can use to apply for the USMNT job.
But a great move from a Yanks Abroad chat perspective. Very efficient watching, three top yanks plus a top coach.
If Juve weren't utter financial shambles, no one would think McKennie going to Leeds is good. They were all already in Europe, we haven't added anything. Furthermore, whatever my personal opinion on three being at Leeds, or yours, doesn't make an ounce of difference to the US becoming a soccer nation. In this context we haven't added anything new to Europe, and this move was forced by Juve being terribly run.
Marsch was allowed to hire Chris Armas as an assistant this morning and is being given full license to sign players to fit his system. I don't see any signs that he's even close to being in trouble.
Yeah I can't imagine at this point they would do anything before the end of the season. They seem all in on Marsch. And I agree with everyone saying they really should stay up, and I tend to think they will as well, but its not completely obvious at the moment.
Fair point. However, results do matter here for the next month or so of games. I’ve still got concerns stacking players on Leeds and hope to be wrong.
Honestly Jesse's success as a manager in Europe would do more to help the game than him failing and coaching the USMNT. Jesse having success would honestly open doors for other American coaches