Juventus travel to Cagliari with Weston McKennie close to a landmark that says much about the club’s changing hierarchy. If selected, the American midfielder will make his 234th appearance for the Bianconeri, moving beyond Manuel Locatelli as the most-used player among the current squad.
McKennie’s place in Juventus history
The potential appearance would also bring McKennie level with a significant foreign-player marker. On 234 Juventus matches, he would sit one game behind Edgar Davids in the club’s ranking of overseas players by appearances.
The top ten is within reach during the current season. Wojciech Szczesny occupies tenth place on 252 appearances, leaving McKennie 18 matches away from that position.
His influence is not limited to availability. McKennie shares the lead among current Juventus players for goals scored, with 27, alongside Kenan Yildiz.
A senior figure in a squad being rebuilt
As Juventus management look to establish a new cycle, McKennie’s standing is increasingly notable. He has become one of the squad’s longest-serving and most recognisable figures, even if the appearances list behind him underlines how few established reference points remain.
- McKennie: 233 appearances before the Cagliari match
- Locatelli: 233 appearances, with injury halting his own progress until 2027
- Daniele Rugani: 157 appearances
- Federico Gatti: 139 appearances
- Andrea Cambiaso: 134 appearances
- Kenan Yildiz: 132 appearances
- Gleison Bremer: 128 appearances
- Pierre Kalulu: 98 appearances
Rugani and Gatti have both faced uncertainty over their futures, having been considered possible departures throughout the summer and still potentially involved in January discussions. Neither is currently an undisputed starter.
Bremer and Kalulu have instead emerged as central figures in the opening part of the campaign, while Yildiz continues to carry both attacking responsibility and the promise of the next Juventus generation.
From unexpected signing to enduring presence
- Fabio Paratici brought McKennie to Turin in 2020, during a transfer window shaped by the disruption of the Covid period.
- The move answered a request from newly appointed coach Andrea Pirlo, who believed the American could become an important player in Italian football.
- There were early doubts about how McKennie’s energetic and unconventional character, on and off the pitch, would fit within a demanding environment.
- After a difficult first season, he established himself under a succession of coaches: Massimiliano Allegri, Thiago Motta, Igor Tudor and now Luciano Spalletti.
- Despite repeatedly appearing close to an exit, he remained involved and signed two contract extensions.
McKennie’s value has rested on his willingness to run, cover for teammates and accept the tasks required by the coach. That attitude has made him a trusted player for Spalletti and a constant presence through several changes of direction at Continassa.
Cagliari-Juventus may therefore represent more than another league appearance. It could confirm McKennie as the squad’s leading active appearance-maker, while also placing a player once viewed as expendable among the enduring names of Juventus’ modern era.
