Luciano Spalletti Compares Juventus' Kenan Yildiz to PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti has drawn a comparison between his young forward Kenan Yildiz and Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The manager worked with the Georgian star during Napoli’s 2022-23 Serie A title-winning season and believes Yildiz possesses the same unpredictable attacking style.
Shared Traits Highlighted by Juventus Boss
Spalletti praised Yildiz for operating on an unpredictable wavelength, much like Kvaratskhelia did at Napoli. Last season, the 21-year-old Turkish attacker was central to Juventus’ offense, contributing 14 goals and 10 assists. Unfortunately, his current campaign has been hampered by a fractured metatarsal injury suffered in August, limiting him to just 69 minutes on the pitch so far.
Inventive Style Captivates Spalletti
The Juventus manager spoke to Tuttosport about Yildiz’s creative instincts, which he feels can break down even the most well-organized Italian defenses. He said, "Yildiz makes football shine. His every move is ingenious and breaks the system. When he starts, even he doesn’t necessarily have a plan of what he’ll do next. Sometimes, in training, I see the defenders predict his movement, and they still can’t stop him. He has the madness of invention. For me, he is comparable to Kvaratskhelia."
Maturity and Leadership Beyond His Age
Besides his technical skill, Spalletti admires Yildiz’s calm personality and leadership qualities. Despite being young, he carries himself like a leader without needing many words. The coach added, "He needs to play a bit more, but I see similarities in the unpredictability, the way he stays outside of the rules and timing you expect in football. He’s a lovely guy, the boy next door type, but also a leader – one that doesn’t need to talk much."
Juventus Eager for Yildiz’s Return
Juventus currently sit seventh in Serie A as they prepare to face Cagliari after the international break. Spalletti must wait until at least December for Yildiz’s full recovery, assuming no further complications arise. If the manager’s praise holds true, the teenager’s return could provide the spark Juventus need to challenge for the league title again.
