Weston McKennie is back and preparing for his seventh season with Serie A side Juventus, something that at one time did not look like it would come to fruition.McKennie is back in Turin ahead of the start of the new league campaign, which kicks off for Juventus on August 23. The veteran midfielder is coming off of his best club season, where he tallied nine goals and added six assists in 52 appearances for the Bianconeri. Despite being linked with multiple exits during his time in Italy, McKennie has responded each time, taking his game to new heights and being an important leader on the pitch. Manager Luciano Spalletti has relied heavily on McKennie’s versatility and tenacity, using the American in numerous positions and roles over the past 12 months. After signing a new contract with Juventus through the 2029-30 season earlier this year, McKennie looks set to use the advice from former teammate Andrea Pirlo to continue playing at a high level. “I believe that it is first of all a great honor and it is a dream that comes true,” McKennie said in an interview with CalcioMercato. “When I was little, even if maybe someone doesn’t like to hear me, my idol was Francesco Totti, especially for his loyalty, but I also mention the example of [Alessandro] Del Piero, of course: staying so long in a club, and especially in a club like Juventus, is not easy.“You have to face the pressure day after day,” he added. “It’s something I learned from [Andrea] Pirlo when I arrived. He told me something that stuck in my mind, any player can be lucky enough to get to a club like this and stay there for one or two years, but it’s only professional players, those capable of making day after day, who manage to stay in a club like that for five, six or seven years. It’s something I’ve had in my head for a long time. Being here for six years already and starting, I think, my seventh season is a dream come true. So I hope I can continue like this.” Juventus missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification last season after finishing sixth alongside rivals AC Milan. The Bianconeri will still have a busy schedule though as Europa League involvement will also take coincide with Serie A and Coppa Italia schedules. Inter Milan eventually breezed to the Scudetto last season after finishing 11 points clear of Napoli and are early favorites to repeat as league champions again this term. However, McKennie doesn’t agree with the projections, admitting that anyone can win the league and Juventus will fight to be among those title challengers. “Inter is still a favorite for the Scudetto, is that what the newspapers say,” McKennie said. “I don’t know. I mean, I think any team in Italy has the chance to win the Scudetto. Inter obviously has a strong team and won it last year. So if people say that, I guess that’s what they think. Our task, however, is to focus on our game, on what we want to do and try to get on the field and change the perception we have of ourselves.”Juventus kicks off its competitive schedule at Frosinone on August 23.