In 2026, former Leeds United midfielder Weston McKennie is a Champions League player at Juventus and has become one of the mainstays in Luciano Spalletti's side.
But no matter how many times the American appears on Europe's top stage, no one will forget his failed loan move to Leeds anytime soon.
Weston McKennie for Leeds United
The 27-year-old arrived in need of a mid-season revival in January of 2023, before suffering Premier League relegation and a stint to forget in Yorkshire.
By the time that his loan spell came to an end, McKennie had featured in just three league wins in 19 appearances at Leeds. They say never fall in love with a loan player, but there was no harm in that happening between the midfielder and those at Elland Road.
How McKennie's Leeds loan turned sour
"My time at Leeds was probably one of my lower points, if not the lowest in my professional career," McKennie admitted in a brutal assessment in 2024.
It was a stint surrounded by the toxicity which comes with an unsuccessful relegation scrap and the type which is often aimed at new signings failing to make their mark.
On paper, McKennie arrived as a Serie A midfielder who was already a full international with America. It seemed like serious business from all involved at Leeds. However, it quickly became apparent that the midfielder was not the man to salvage a season crashing back down to the Championship.
It's difficult to pinpoint where exactly things went wrong in Yorkshire. But discipline on the pitch didn't help his case. The midfielder was like a magnet to a yellow card - receiving seven bookings in 19 appearances. And in a double pivot, there was no hiding away from his struggles.
weston-mckennie-leeds-united-premier-league
There's an argument to be made that, had McKennie featured alongside the likes of Anton Stach in Daniel Farke's 5-4-1 system, he could have enjoyed better success. Alas, there is no changing history and he remains one of the most disappointing signings in Leeds' Premier League history.
He may not be the only midfielder on the list by the end of the current campaign, either. Another player is now paying the price for Farke's system change, rather than benefitting.
Leeds loanee may never start for Farke again
When Leeds missed out on Facundo Buonanotte courtesy of Chelsea's surprise move in the summer, there was understandable disappointment around the club. Their interest never went away, however, and when the opportunity emerged in January, the Whites took full advantage.
Facundo Buonanotte
Buonanotte was finally a Leeds player. A team already on course to secure survival was only set to get better as far as Elland Road was concerned.
However, flash-forward to a month into his time at the club, and there's every chance the South American may never start for Leeds again.
The attacking midfielder has started just one game since arriving and that came against Birmingham City in the FA Cup. It was supposed to be the match he announced himself for the first time since arriving on loan, only to struggle big time against Championship opposition.
Buonanotte vs Birmingham Stats
Minutes 45
Dispossessed 2
Ground Duels Won 1/8
Chances Created 0
Buonanotte lasted just 45 minutes before he was hooked following a frustrating display. What is also important to note is that Farke changed his system to a 3-4-2-1 to suit the Argentine, who operated in one of the two attacking midfield spots.
That is not a luxury that he will receive in the Premier League. Farke will not fix something which is not broken for his loanee and that means he could have an impossible job when pushing for a starting spot.
It's an all too familiar story at Elland Road. Like McKennie, Buonanotte has arrived with high expectations, having spent time at a big club. But, like the USMNT international, it's looking increasingly likely that he will fail to make his mark, particularly as he's failed to play a single minute in the league throughout February.
It would now appear that whilst Leeds thrive, the January arrival is set to become a victim of Farke's system change.
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