Zidane Highlights Kenan Yildiz’s Potential Amid Premier League Interest

Zinedine Zidane has praised young forward Kenan Yildiz as a player to watch, acknowledging his potential while also noting areas for improvement. The 20-year-old, currently with Juventus, has emerged as a key talent in Italian football, attracting interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.

Yildiz concluded the previous season with an impressive tally of nine goals and eight assists across all competitions. This season, he continues to demonstrate his burgeoning talent, contributing two goals and four assists while stepping into a leadership role, including captaining the team during a recent 1-1 draw against Verona. Despite his promising performances, uncertainties surround his future in Turin as contract negotiations continue amidst strong interest from Premier League clubs.

Arsenal has long been a proponent of Yildiz, sending scouts to observe him in action during a recent match between Juventus and AC Milan. Reports from Italy indicate that Chelsea is also keen on acquiring the Turkish international, having previously made an unsuccessful offer of £61 million for him during the summer transfer window. Recent speculation suggests Chelsea is prepared to make another bid, with Yildiz’s market value estimated at £84 million.

Zidane, a legendary figure in football and former manager of Real Madrid, expressed his admiration for Yildiz in an interview with Fanatik. “I like him; he is a good player. He scores goals. He has quality,” Zidane stated. However, he emphasized the need for Yildiz to further enhance his game to reach the upper echelons of football.

Juventus, under the guidance of manager Igor Tudor, is reportedly creating an environment where Yildiz can continue his development. Zidane commented, “Juventus are doing well with Tudor; he is slowly improving. I am happy for him and for Juventus.”

In addition to Yildiz, Zidane highlighted other young talents he finds exciting, including Lamine Yamal, Vitinha, and Joao Neves. Yamal, in particular, impressed Zidane during a match against Inter Milan last season, showcasing his ability to dominate on the field.

With a successful coaching career behind him, Zidane has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. He is eager to return to coaching, and has expressed interest in eventually leading the French national team. “I will definitely return to coaching,” he affirmed. “What I want to do in the future… is to coach the French national team. One day I would like to do that. We will see.”

As the transfer window approaches, the focus on Yildiz will intensify, with both Arsenal and Chelsea likely to remain in pursuit of the promising forward. His development at Juventus, coupled with the interest from top clubs, places him at a pivotal moment in his career.