Serie A

Spalletti compares Yildiz to Kvaratskhelia and one other underrated Serie A star – Football Italia

November 4, 2025

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Spalletti compares Yildiz to Kvaratskhelia and one other underrated Serie A star – Football Italia

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 16: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at Juventus Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Luciano Spalletti has compared Juventus star Kenan Yildiz to his former Napoli colleague Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and former Italy international Antonio Di Natale, who the coach feels is one of the most underrated stars that he has worked with so far.

Yildiz, who was unavailable for Spalletti’s first match in charge of Juventus over the weekend, is expected to return to the starting line-up when the Old Lady take on Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Spalletti, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Monday evening confirmed that Yildiz ‘is available’, before going on to compare him to some of the other top-class talents he has had the pleasure of working with previously.

Spalletti compares Yildiz to Kvaratskhelia and Di Natale

TURIN, ITALY - OCTOBER 05: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC competes with Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) — TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 05: Kenan Ylidiz of Juventus FC competes with Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“He’s available. I’m lucky because I’ve had some great players,” Spalletti told the press (via TMW)

“Kvara had those characteristics. One who had less of a spotlight, but still had incredible talent was Toto Di Natale. Yildiz is one of those who will be on everyone’s Instagram feeds at the end of the season.”

The 20-year-old Yildiz has seven goal contributions to his name from 12 appearances across all competitions so far this term.

The Bianconeri poster-boy is also among the nominees for the 2025 Golden Boy award, along with the likes of Pau Cubarsi, Arda Guler and Desire Doue.