And the manager that wanted him got fired two weeks after he got there. He's like the Uno Reverse card of footballers.
This is his third coach at Juve isn't it. he won over the first two and has quickly (at least for now) gotten minutes under the new guy. Actually pretty impressive but also accentuates how much coaching turnover there is in big Euro leagues. Add in his two managers at Leeds and what two or three at Schalke and that's at least seven managers in around eight years.
That's right. Del Piero, Buffon, Chiellini, Platini, Conte, Zidane, Scirea, Trezeguet, Nedved, Gentile, Ferrera, Marchisio, Boniperti, Sivori, Zoff, Davids, Barzagli, Deschamps, McKennie...
It's never a good idea to be a pedant on two fronts, but: 1. Wes gets dinged by folks for putting ranch on his pizza, not his wings. 2. The proper accompaniment for both wings and pizza is blue cheese, not ranch.
HahaHaHa/ He doesn't have to hit that list to be successful. I think he has only had 2 mangers at Juve, Max and now Motta. Pirlo was in charge when they decided to buy him, but I think he but got fired before Wes played any for him.
Wes did play that year with Pirlo. He played a little in the double pivot with Arthur, Bentancur, Rabiot, and Ramsey but was most successful as the modified RM in Pirlo's 4-4-2. Remember his goal against Barca in our 3-0 win at the Camp Nou to top the group? Of course, only to get knocked out against Porto in the R16...
Radio station today brought up a ranch dressing contest in the Midwest. See who could eat something like 24 oz the fastest. Someone won by doing it in 10 seconds. Because of all the Wes and ranch comments it made me think of him and was ashamed of myself.
Ah, I'm not sure how to define that. Like someone who is at the club for a while, everyone likes, but isn't an actual legend? Above someone like Emmanuel Giaccherini, Kwadwo Asamoah, or Simone Padoin who were well thought of squad players during the beginnning of the 2010's dominance but well below players like Mandzukic, Dybala, Morata, Pjanic, and the likes.
I see. I'm hoping that he will be thought of highly after his time at Juve is all said and done. That doesn't really have anything to do with Wes, in my opinion. More that it's likely there isn't any players that will be thought of highly during this run of poor years.
You'e a great point. Years where they're not challenging for the title must be forgettable in the eyes of fans. I gotta figure Wes has accomplished by far the most of any American in Serie A. I remember when he was purchased thinking he'd be lucky to just be a super-sub or provide depth but he really carved out a role for himself there.
Wasn't long ago when Michael Bradley had the best career by an American in Italy and then next was maybe Lalas? Many are there now but McKennie lead the pack. Pulisic has obviously done great but I wonder if he would have gone there or a team would have wanted him if McKennie hadn't shown that Americans could play there and start.
Interesting the part where he says he occupies space well. That is what I was trying to find a word for. He's like the cornerback who doesn't make tackles or interceptions because he covers so well passes rarely come his way. McKennie is constantly moving into spaces on offense and defense. On defense he shifts to block players from coming through so the pass sideways or backwards a lot.
Yeah I mentioned that in another thread earlier today. He has a knack for spacing and dictating shape. He finds good attacking spots and helps his teammates find their angles and runs. Its a feel thing, but shows his smarts as well. Their team looked very different on Westons side. He stood out. Thats the kind of thing that his coaches likely find out about him over time that keeps him on the field.
It's also something you have to focus on him to notice. Tackles stand out but can be because positioning was poor to begin with.