Wolverhampton Wanderers have endured a tough old campaign.
For a variety of reasons, it looks pretty likely that the club will be finishing lower than the two seventh-placed finishes managed in the past couple of seasons.
On the basis of the season so far, it can be argued that the midfield has left rather a lot to be desired.
Ruben Neves has stepped up since the turn of the year, but Joao Moutinho has struggled to showcase his vintage best and Leander Dendoncker has also lacked consistency.
Some have suggested that Neves and Moutinho are quite similar, and that Dendoncker, for all the physical benefits he brings, lacks mobility and composure around the final third.
There hasn’t been a box-to-box type midfielder available to Nuno Espirito Santo – but the club were linked to a very good one only last summer.
According to CBS Sports in July 2020, the Wanderers were showing interest in McKennie, who was at Schalke at the time.
But the USA international ended up completing a loan move to Juventus, which was today made permanent for £16 million (via Daily Mail) due to having been so good for the Old Lady.
McKennie looks like one that got away
Juventus have struggled as a collective this season and have a big job on to win a tenth straight league title.
But McKennie has personally been superb across his 31 appearances in all competitions.
Scorer of five goals and maker of two, McKennie has been a big presence in Juve’s midfield when called upon and is rapidly making a name for himself in Serie A.
He’s easily outshone the likes of Adrien Rabiot and Aaron Ramsey, and one wonders if Wolves will come to regret not pushing harder for the dynamo.