Weston McKennie has just opened up on the reasons behind his decision to join Leeds United 18 months ago.
McKennie made the temporary switch from Juventus in January 2023 in an initial loan deal that also included an obligation-to-buy had Leeds stayed up.
However, his time at Elland Road went so poorly that Leeds were expected to get out of that agreement even if they had stayed up, though that was irrelevant anyway as they were relegated with a whimper.
Across his 19 appearances for Leeds, McKennie started 16 of those and ended up on the winning side on just three occasions. He very much became a lightning rod for criticism from supporters by the end.
McKennie has since acknowledged he let Leeds supporters down with his performances, even suggesting his fitness levels were not up to scratch for him to succeed, a worrying claim for a professional footballer.
McKennie shares why he decided to move to Leeds
Former Leeds midfielder Tyler Adams said earlier this week that he feels as though he let McKennie down by getting injured so early on after he arrived on loan. They started just five games together.
Considering McKennie was coming from a club like Juventus, that is an excuse that can hardly wash. The only real excuse he could have is the ridiculous amount of managers he played under at Leeds.
Amid reports he could be set for a Premier League return, McKennie has now opened up on the reasons behind his decision to move to Leeds in a new interview with the Athletic.
Incredibly McKennie has revealed he saw Leeds simply as a stepping stone to try and secure a move to another club in England, primarily one playing in the top five.
He said: “When I went there, my head was more, ‘OK, I want to go here, perform very well, put up numbers, help the team stay up and then hopefully another Premier League team, top five, comes in and sees how well I’ve played and then they would buy me’.
“With all the respect to Leeds and their fans, I love Champions League football. I love playing at the highest level. Leeds was more of a place I wanted to go to experience something new, the Premier League.
“But there’s no better place to be seen by Premier League teams than if you’re playing in the Premier League. I won’t be able to know what would have happened if Leeds would have stayed up because it didn’t happen that way.
“Things turn out the way they do for a reason. And now I’m exactly in the moment that I’m supposed to be in.”
McKennie comments scarcely believable for Leeds supporters
Given just how poor McKennie was, it is quite staggering that he has now come out and claimed these as the reasons behind his move.
Even if is true, it should be something he now looks to keep to himself as he proved very quickly he was not up to Premier League standard, never mind Premier League.
McKennie may have had a better campaign at Juve last season with seven assists, however he is still a box-to-box midfielder who failed to score a single goal in 34 league appearances.
It is no wonder Juve are now trying to include him in a two-man plus cash swap deal with Aston Villa for Douglas Luiz, where he definitely would not be good enough to start.