Leeds United signing Weston McKennie must regret not pushing for a West Ham move after the debacle at Elland Road following his debut.
If you took any notice of reports from some reputable sources over the last 18 months, when the time came for McKennie to leave Juventus it looked almost certain to be for West Ham.
But when that time came last week the US international ended up at West Ham’s relegation rivals Leeds instead.
It has been widely reported in the past that midfielder McKennie was the man the Hammers wanted as Declan Rice’s eventual replacement (BeSoccer, Tuttosport, The Times).
So it was a hammer blow when Jesse Marsch moved to sign his fellow American before the January window closed as Leeds sealed a somewhat surprising loan deal with the option to buy.
West Ham were consistently linked with McKennie throughout January and reports claimed the player remained open to offers from other Premier League clubs right up until he eventually signed on the dotted line at Elland Road.
But Leeds signing McKennie must regret not pushing for a West Ham move after the debacle following his debut.
There was a huge twist in the relegation battle when Leeds sacked Marsch on Monday after they lost 1-0 to Forest the day before.
That game marked McKennie’s debut for Leeds. And less than 24 hours later, his compatriot – and the man who sold him the vision of recreating the US national team midfield at Elland Road – was gone.
The decision has left most football fans baffled. Yes Leeds are in the thick of the relegation battle. But so are seven others. And Crystal Palace may even become a ninth club sucked into the relegation equation.
Leeds’ decision is made all the more bizarre by the fact the club backed Marsch with four young new signings in January to the tune of nearly £50m – including breaking their transfer record.
While West Ham look to slowly be getting their act together having stuck by David Moyes following his big £185m outlay in the last two windows, the Leeds board have been accused of lacking any plan whatsoever.
Leeds have also been criticised for sacking Marsch without having a replacement lined up.
McKennie must be wondering why he did not dig his heels in if he really did fancy a move to West Ham, as has been claimed in the past.
After all, who knows whether he will fit into the plans of the new manager who walks through the door.
At West Ham – if reports are to be believed – he was seen as someone to build the side around when Rice departs in the summer. Playing in front of 62,500 fans every other week with the challenge of living up to Rice’s legacy.
That is something a player who has been at a top club like Juve should surely relish.
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