Kenan Yildiz has returned to Continassa with high hopes following his debut experience at the European Championship with Turkey and a brief vacation in Jesolo, which included a minor nose surgery. His comeback is filled with anticipation as Juventus sees him as a key player in their new project, even considering giving him the iconic number 10 jersey.
A few weeks ago, Thiago Motta had a conversation with Yildiz about his plans to centralize him in the team’s strategy, making this season crucial for Yildiz’s development. The potential award of the number 10 jersey largely hinges on ongoing discussions regarding his contract renewal. The young player recently enlisted a new agency to negotiate with Juventus for an improved contract, as he currently earns around €300,000, with discussions starting at about €1 million. There is still a significant gap between the player’s demands and what the club is offering. This discrepancy is the main reason why discussions about the jersey number are on hold while they await a resolution. The club hopes to reach an agreement soon so that he can wear one of the team’s most historic shirts.
By placing Yildiz at the heart of its project, Juventus has effectively sidelined Federico Chiesa. Both players occupy similar positions, leading to competition last season where Yildiz found himself on the bench as Allegri opted to restore the established hierarchy by starting Chiesa. Now, however, the decision between the two is less of an issue. Motta plans to leverage Yildiz’s specific skills in the left-center position, making him a key figure in the offensive setup.
Aside from the jersey number and contract renewal talks, Yildiz starts the season with confidence, knowing he is viewed as a central player in the team’s future. As he prepares to get to know his new teammates better—aside from Dusan Vlahovic, many others seem on the way out—his training program will start with a focus on regaining fitness before he takes the pitch. Fans can expect to see him in action during the team’s final summer friendly against Atletico Madrid on August 11 in Gothenburg, which will be the first real test of his abilities on the field.
