Weston McKennie: Without football, I am in a bad mood

“The injury was painful. I couldn’t really walk properly because my foot was extremely swollen,” remembers McKennie. However, the midfielder has returned to the training ground recently and the 20-year-old has been training very enthusiastically. “If I can’t play football, I get phases of being in a bad mood. For me it was a very hard time. The people around me helped me to recover. I am simply happy to be back again,” said McKennie.

The USA international stated that he felt no more pain and was feeling good again. Should Huub Stevens decide to include him in the squad for the Saturday game against TSG Hoffenheim, McKennie will be ready: “I want to help the team. Even if it is from the bench.”

The fact that he is fit again after just four weeks, McKennie has the Royal Blue’s doctors to thank. “The lads worked really well with me,” praised McKennie. The medical team pushed the midfielder but ensured that he was never under pressure.

The midfielder also said the team gave him strength. “Lots of my teammates texted me immediately after I got injured and told me to get better soon. That gave me a very good feeling.” In addition, there were also wishes from ex-teammates. McKennie: “Naldo contacted me and asked how I was doing. I thought that was very nice.”