Spalletti: Juventus Star Yildiz Has Kvaratskhelia-Like Creativity

Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has placed Kenan Yildiz in the same creative bracket as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, arguing that the Turkish forward possesses the rare unpredictability needed to unpick Italy’s most disciplined defences. The praise arrives as Juventus wait for Yildiz to recover from a fractured metatarsal that has restricted him to 69 minutes this season.

Spalletti sees a game-changing instinct

Yildiz was Juventus’s central attacking figure last season, producing 14 goals and 10 assists. At 21, he has already become an established Turkey international, but his current campaign was interrupted by the foot injury suffered in August.

Spalletti believes the forward’s value lies not only in his technique, but in his ability to create moments that cannot be easily planned for or contained.

• Spalletti said Yildiz brings “brightness” to the game through inventive actions.
• He described the attacker as someone capable of disrupting an opponent’s defensive structure.
• The Juventus coach said Yildiz can begin a move without knowing precisely how it will end.
• Even when defenders read his intended direction during training, Spalletti said they can still struggle to stop him.

The coach compared that freedom and imagination to Kvaratskhelia’s influence in Napoli’s 2022-23 Scudetto-winning season, when Spalletti managed the Georgian winger.

Comparison with Kvaratskhelia

Spalletti said Yildiz needs more playing time before he can fully demonstrate his level, but he identified a familiar quality in the Juventus player: an ability to operate beyond the expected rhythms and patterns of a match.

He also highlighted Yildiz’s personality away from the ball and outside the spotlight. Spalletti described him as an approachable, grounded young player whose leadership does not depend on making speeches.

Juventus await December return

Juventus are seventh in Serie A and will resume their league programme with a difficult away fixture against Cagliari following the international break. Yildiz is not expected to be fully available until at least December, provided there are no further complications in his rehabilitation.

His eventual return could give Spalletti a major lift in attack as Juventus attempt to improve their league position and rejoin the title race.