Luciano Spalletti Compares Juventus' Kenan Yildiz to PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Luciano Spalletti, the manager of Juventus, has drawn a striking comparison between his young forward Kenan Yildiz and Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Both players share an unpredictable attacking style that Spalletti finds rare and valuable.

Shared Unpredictability and Creative Spark

Spalletti worked with Kvaratskhelia during his time at Napoli when they won the Serie A title in the 2022-23 season. He believes Yildiz, despite being a teenager, shows the same inventive qualities that made the Georgian attacker so effective. The Juventus coach praises Yildiz for playing on an "unpredictable frequency," making it difficult for defenders to anticipate his next move.

A Season Halted by Injury

Last season, Yildiz was a key player for Juventus, contributing 14 goals and 10 assists as their main offensive figure. Unfortunately, his current campaign has been disrupted by a fractured metatarsal injury suffered in August, limiting him to just 69 minutes on the field so far.

Spalletti on Yildiz's Playing Style and Impact

"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."

The manager admires Yildiz’s ability to dismantle well-organized defenses with his unexpected maneuvers and creativity.

Maturity and Leadership Beyond His Years

Spalletti also respects Yildiz’s character off the pitch, describing him as a humble and quiet leader who commands respect without needing many words. The Turkish international defies traditional tactical expectations with his timing and movement, showing maturity rare for his age.

"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 Awaits Yildiz’s Return

Juventus currently sit seventh in Serie A and are preparing for a challenging away match against Cagliari after the international break. Spalletti hopes Yildiz will be back in full fitness by December, provided there are no further injuries. The forward's return could provide the boost Juventus needs to climb back into the title race.

• Team: Juventus
• Player: Kenan Yildiz
• Injury: Fractured metatarsal (August)
• Last season stats: 14 goals, 10 assists
• Comparison: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
• Serie A position: 7th
• Next match: vs Cagliari
• Expected return: December