Luciano Spalletti Compares Juventus Star Kenan Yildiz to PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has praised young forward Kenan Yildiz, likening his unpredictable attacking style to that of Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The coach, who worked with the Georgian star during Napoli’s 2022-23 title-winning season, sees a similar creative spark in his teenage protégé.

Shared Traits Highlighted by Spalletti

Spalletti emphasized that Yildiz operates with a rare unpredictability, much like Kvaratskhelia did when he was the key figure at Napoli. Last season, the 21-year-old Turkish attacker was vital for Juventus, recording 14 goals and 10 assists. Unfortunately, an August injury—a fractured metatarsal—has limited Yildiz to only 69 minutes so far this campaign.

Inventive Instincts Capture Manager's Attention

The Juventus boss is fascinated by Yildiz’s instinctive playmaking, which can break down even the most organized defenses in Italy. Speaking to Tuttosport, Spalletti said:

"Yildiz makes football shine. Every move he makes is clever and breaks the system. Even he doesn’t always know what he’ll do next. Sometimes in training, defenders predict his moves but still can’t stop him. He has the madness of invention. For me, he’s comparable to Kvaratskhelia."

Maturity Beyond His Years

Aside from technical skills, Spalletti admires Yildiz’s calm demeanor and leadership qualities, especially when playing outside traditional tactical setups. The coach added:

"He needs more game time, but I see similarities in how he defies rules and timing you expect in football. He’s a lovely guy, the boy next door type, yet also a leader who doesn’t have to speak much."

Looking Ahead: Juventus Anticipate Yildiz’s Return

Currently sitting seventh in Serie A, Juventus are preparing for a tough match against Cagliari after the international break. Spalletti expects Yildiz to return fully by December if no further setbacks occur. His comeback is seen as crucial to boosting the team’s firepower and rekindling their title ambitions.