TURIN, ITALY - OCTOBER 29: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC is tackled by Arthur Atta of Udinese Calcio during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Udinese Calcio at on October 29, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - OCTOBER 29: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC is tackled by Arthur Atta of Udinese Calcio during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Udinese Calcio at on October 29, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Former Juventus winger Massimo Mauro feels Kenan Yildiz hasn’t yet become a leader at the Allianz Stadium, but would ‘fit perfectly at Manchester City or Real Madrid, where responsibilities are shared among five or six players.’
Former Juventus winger Mauro believes Yildiz is not yet a leader in the Bianconeri’s dressing room, despite his undisputed technical qualities.
“He’s the most important player Juventus have, along with Thuram and Cambiaso, the one to build on,” the ex-Italy international told Gazzetta.
Mauro reveals Yildiz’s ‘problem’ at Juventus
TURIN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 04: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Juventus Stadium on November 04, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Juventus Stadium on November 04, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
“The problem is that Kenan hasn’t yet become a world-class player, the champion Juventus need. The environment isn’t right to take on the fate of such an important team. Maybe he doesn’t have the traits of a leader; he can be a great number two, but needs a number one beside him. Del Piero, at the beginning, played with Vialli, Baggio, and Ravanelli. That’s what’s needed, so all the responsibility of a big team isn’t placed on a boy, even a very talented one.”
Yildiz has been Juventus’ No.10 for the last three seasons, and Igor Tudor made him the team’s captain in some matches during his tenure.
Mauro: Making Yildiz the Juventus captain was a mistake
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 22: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus shoots during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Juventus at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 22, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 22: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus shoots during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Juventus at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 22, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“The No.10 shirt was not a mistake,” Mauro argued.
“Making him captain, in my opinion, was. Because he doesn’t have the characteristics needed to be a captain.
“First of all, I hope he starts doing interviews in Italian. Then, to be a captain, you must be a point of reference for the club, the teammates and the fans. He would fit perfectly at Manchester City or Real Madrid, where responsibilities are shared among five or six players.”
Even if Yildiz’s contract expires in June 2029, Juventus have already opened talks over a new deal. According to Gazzetta, however, negotiations are currently stalling as the two parties have failed to reach an agreement.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid have been linked with the Turkey international.
“He will be in demand, but renewing would still be an achievement for him, not a final goal,” Mauro concluded.
“Lately, players seem to view Juventus as a final destination, while it should be the place where you prove your full potential.”
Yildiz, 20, has scored three goals and provided four assists in 14 Juventus appearances across all competitions this term.
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