Zinedine Zidane has picked out Kenan Yildiz as a player to keep an eye on for the future, but believes the Juventus forward ‘still needs to improve’ in certain areas if he is to establish himself among the world’s best.
Yildiz, 20, finished last season with an impressive return of nine goals and eight assists in all competitions to announce himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Italian football.
This term, Yildiz has racked up two goals and four assists in all competitions while taking on greater responsibility within Igor Tudo’r group, even wearing the captain’s armband for the first time in a 1-1 draw with Verona.
However, there has been some uncertainty and speculation over Yildiz’s future in Turin, with contract negotiations dragging on amid strong interest from the Premier League in the Turkey international.
Arsenal are known to be long-term admirers of Yildiz and sent scouts to watch the youngster in action as Juve and AC Milan played a goalless draw before the international break.
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Reports emanating out of Italy this month, meanwhile, suggested Chelsea were ‘ready to attack again’ after launching an unsuccessful £61million offer for Yildiz in the summer transfer window.
‘I like him, he is a good player,’ legendary ex-Juve, Real Madrid and France midfielder Zidane told Fanatik of the £84m-rated Yildiz.
‘He scores goals. He has quality. He still needs to improve and prove himself.
‘Juventus are doing well with Tudor, he is slowly improving. I am happy for him and for Juventus.’
Zidane went on to name-check Lamine Yamal, Vitinha and Joao Neves as three players he is ‘really excited’ to watch in the modern game.
‘In football these days, I’m really excited about Lamine Yamal, who had a great game against Inter last year,’ the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner added.
‘No one could stop him and he did everything he could. He was impressive.
‘I also like Vitinha and Joao Neves at PSG.’
Zidane has been out of a job since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, but is keen to return to coaching and hopes one day to manage the French national side.
‘I will definitely return to coaching,’ he explained.
‘I’m not sure about taking over Juventus. I will always carry them in my heart, they gave me a lot when I arrived.
‘What I want to do in the future, I’m not talking about now, is to coach the French national team.
‘One day I would like to do that. We will see.’
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