Serie A: ‘Juventus bought me to play a more attacking role’, says Weah
Timothy Weah underlined why his move to Juventus will benefit the USMNT and touched on his role in Massimiliano Allegri’s squad.
The 23-year-old American wing back joined the Bianconeri from Lille this summer in a deal worth around €11.3m, being the club’s costliest signing of the summer window. He penned a five-year deal in Turin.
Weah has already made two starts for Juventus and shown some positive signs in the early stages of his life in the Piedmont capital, adding a new layer to Allegri’s system with his ability to drive forward on the right side of the pitch.
Speaking in a press conference via Goal, Weah first discussed how his move to Juventus will benefit the United States national team thanks to his relationship with Weston McKennie.
“I think it’s definitely a big positive because we already have a pretty good understanding. I understand how he plays, he understands how I play, so our chemistry is really good.
“Now that we’re on the same team training every day, it’s just going to make it even better when we come into US camp. It’s all very fluid, so hopefully that translates to the games.
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“We’re just happy. We’re happy to be in this moment. We’re happy to have each other in Turin and in the national team, so we’re just going to take it step by step and enjoy.”
The 23-year-old then discussed his role as a wing back in Allegri’s Juventus squad.
“It’s been interesting. Last season, getting my first experience playing that position was fine. It was still very much a learning phase for me and coming into Juve, it was fun. It was huge.
“Wes was helping a lot with just understanding a lot of things, but I think Juve was more of a defensive team last year and the club definitely brought me into to be more play more of an attacking role coming out of the back, which is there’s something I love doing, making runs at the defence and just applying pressure. That’s really fun.
“Allegri has basically allowed me to do whatever I want while still keeping the importance to whatever technical work we have. It’s not that different. I just have to defend a little bit more but I’m having fun. I’m basically doing the same things I’m doing as a winger, so it’s definitely fun.”
McKennie spent the second half of last season on loan with Leeds United but returned to Turin in the summer and is now part of Allegri’s Juventus squad for this season.