Boniek: Yildiz a potential Juventus ‘superstar’, Dybala might become a problem for Roma

Former Juventus and Roma striker Zbigniew Boniek feels Kenan Yildiz is the only top player in Turin and a potential ‘superstar’, while Paulo Dybala is the Giallorossi’s best player, but if he’s not fit, he could create ‘difficulty for the coach.’

Juventus and Roma meet at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday in the big match of Serie A Round 16.

The Giallorossi sit fourth in the Serie A table, just three points below the top spot.

Juventus are fifth, four points behind their next rivals.

“Gasperini is doing an extraordinary job, almost surprising in some respects,” Boniek told Gazzetta.

“I don’t think that at the start of the season, many people would have expected such a strong start from Roma. Gasperini is tough, honest, and makes everyone work in the same way.

“On the other hand, Spalletti has only recently taken charge, but it seems to me that he’s already giving the team a clear direction. He’s a very ambitious coach, but his Juventus team is without superstars. Perhaps the only one is Yildiz, who seems destined for a bright future. He can become an absolute top player; you just have to see how he touches the ball, how he caresses it.”

Roma’s most decisive player this season has arguably been Matias Soulé, a former Juventus player, who has grabbed five goals and five assists in 21 games across all competitions.

“Soulé is becoming fundamental, even if he needs to broaden the range of his moves. He has an important left foot,” acknowledged Boniek.

“Dybala’s quality, on the other hand, is beyond discussion, but you always have to see how he’s doing physically. The surprising thing is that Roma are up there, three points off the top, without having been able to rely almost at all on their strongest player.”

Can Soulé and Dybala coexist in the Roma XI? Boniek certainly believes so.

“Of course, they can; strong players can always play together. It’s clear, however, that to see them together, you have to take care of the defensive phase; you have to contribute there as well,” he argued.

Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini’s contracts expire in June, but at the moment, they seem nowhere near signing a new deal at the Stadio Olimpico.

“Potentially, this is a problem for Massara. It seems to me, however, that there are two different issues,” concluded Boniek.

“Paulo is too important, but he has to guarantee at least 80% of the matches. If, instead, he’s only partially fit, it becomes a problem and also creates some difficulty for the coach. I would like Pellegrini to stay, without going elsewhere to seek fortune. He has quality, and you can see it, but for him, the physical issue applies too. If he’s fine, it’s fine.”