Juventus Coach Luciano Spalletti Compares Kenan Yildiz to PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Luciano Spalletti, the manager of Juventus, has praised young Turkish forward Kenan Yildiz, likening his attacking style to that of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger at Paris Saint-Germain. Spalletti, who previously coached Kvaratskhelia during Napoli’s 2022-23 Serie A triumph, sees a similar spark in Yildiz’s creativity and unpredictability on the pitch.
Shared Traits of Unpredictable Attackers
Spalletti pointed out that Yildiz operates with a level of unpredictability reminiscent of Kvaratskhelia’s approach at Napoli. Last season, Yildiz was a key figure for the Bianconeri, scoring 14 goals and providing 10 assists. His progress this season stalled after suffering a fractured metatarsal in August, limiting him to only 69 minutes of play so far.
Spalletti Highlights Yildiz’s Inventive Play
The Juventus boss admires the young forward’s instinctive style, which often confounds even well-organized defenses. In an interview with Tuttosport, Spalletti described Yildiz’s game as full of creative genius and spontaneity:
"Yildiz makes football shine. His every move is ingenious and breaks the system. Sometimes even he doesn’t know what he'll do next. In training, defenders might guess his moves but still can’t stop him. He has the madness of invention. For me, he is comparable to Kvaratskhelia."
Maturity and Leadership Beyond His Years
Spalletti also praised Yildiz’s maturity and quiet leadership qualities, which stand out when he plays freely without strict tactical constraints. The coach added:
"He needs more game time, but I see similarities in how he defies expectations and timing on the field. He’s a lovely guy, the boy-next-door type, but also a leader – one who doesn’t need to speak much."
Waiting for a Winter Comeback
Juventus are currently seventh in the Serie A table and gearing up for a challenging match against Cagliari after the international break. Spalletti will have to wait until December at the earliest for Yildiz to return fully fit, assuming no further injury problems occur. If the coach’s high praise reflects Yildiz’s true potential, his comeback could provide the offensive boost Juventus need to push back into title contention.
