Michel Platini has criticised Juventus for playing Kenan Yildiz out of position, saying the young forward should be operating through the middle instead of on the wing.
Speaking at the Trento Sports Festival, the 70-year-old said: “He’s a number 10 and for me he should play in the center. I don’t know why Motta and Tudor have him operating on the wings. Unfortunately, in today’s football there’s this tendency to move quality players to the flank, when they should play in more central positions.”
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Yildiz, 20, joined Juventus from Bayern Munich academy in 2022 and has since become one of Serie A most promising young talents. He wears the iconic No.10 shirt once worn by Platini, Alessandro Del Piero and Paul Pogba.
Juventus are working on a contract extension for Yildiz, whose current deal runs until 2027, but talks have slowed. Both parties want an agreement until 2030, though progress has been slower than expected.
The delay has attracted attention from major European clubs including Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United. Reports suggest Chelsea are ready to make a new offer after a €70m bid was rejected in July, while Arsenal are preparing a €60m proposal plus Gabriel Jesus.
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Despite being used on the wing, Yildiz has contributed two goals and four assists in eight games across Serie A and the Champions League this season. Juventus currently sit fifth after winning three of their first six matches and will face Como on October 19 after the international break.
