Spalletti drops Chiesa hint as Juventus want Yildiz respite: ‘Looking for a replacement’

Luciano Spalletti has admitted that Juventus are ‘looking for a replacement’ in Kenan Yildiz’s area of the pitch, as the Bianconeri head coach wants to ‘protect’ the club’s most precious talent. 

Juventus have been linked with a move to bring back Federico Chiesa just 18 months after he was exiled from the Bianconeri first team and then eventually sold to Liverpool. 

The 51-time Italy international, who has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular under Arne Slot, is said to be keen on the idea of a return to Turin in a deal that could be worth around €15m-€20m. 

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Juventus head coach Spalletti admitted that there are still areas that the club wish to address during the January transfer window. 

Among the priorities for Spalletti is somebody to compete and rotate with Yildiz, whom the head coach feels has been ‘undroppable’ so far. 

“As far as I’m concerned, the January window is intended to introduce different players and profiles that you don’t have in your current squad. Ever since I’ve got here we’ve been looking at the market because I’ve been getting to know the characteristics of my players,” Spalletti told the press on Friday.  

“I am convinced that we can still grow and that there are still a few things we might be missing,” he added. 

Spalletti was at first hesitant to respond to questions relating to Yildiz, as he wants to keep the Juve no.10 protected at all costs: “I want to leave Yildiz alone because I don’t want to question him in terms of his role. For me, he’s incredibly strong, he’s doing an amazing job and I want to protect him. 

But when asked if Yildiz will be able to play against Cagliari on Saturday after missing training on Thursday through illness, Spalletti said: “We’re looking for a replacement in that area. Usually, a top player is a top player because they’re undroppable, or because they play like a champion. He does both. 

“He’s an important player for us and we want to try to protect him, but he has the physique and engine and we want to have him play as many games as possible because he gives us so many different solutions. 

“For tomorrow, Conceicao can’t play the whole game, and therefore we could manage Yildiz’s minutes once the game has started. My assistant Domenichini helps me decide, but Yildiz has only missed one training session due to a sore throat, today he was at full speed.” 

In terms of the profile that Spalletti mentioned during his press conference, a player in a similar role to Yildiz, Chiesa certainly fits the bill. They both play in similar positions, either as a winger, advanced midfielder or second striker, and are also similar in terms of their style of play and physical attributes.

Chiesa, who has struggled for minutes over the last 18 months, is unlikely to suddenly become a starter week-in-week-out, and could potentially be the perfect option to offer Yildiz the respite that Spalletti mentioned.