Juventus and Turkey forward Kenan Yildiz is closing in on a return to first-team action after a period managing a knee injury, according to reports from Italy. The 19-year-old has been sidelined with patellar tendinopathy, an issue that has limited his training and required injections, but optimism is now growing around his availability for the final Serie A matches.
Yildiz has participated in only three full training sessions with the squad since April 13th, with his condition visibly impacting his recent cameo appearance against AC Milan. After the match, Italy manager Luciano Spalletti, who oversees the national team, commented on Yildiz's fitness, stating the player was short of breath after his initial sprints due to his lack of regular training. The gradual recovery process has involved extensive gym work and treatment, but sources suggest the worst is now behind him, with injections potentially no longer required.
The young attacker is expected to be reintroduced to group training imminently, with a cautious step-by-step approach to monitor his knee's response. There is cautious optimism within the club that Yildiz could even be in contention to start against Hellas Verona this weekend. His return would be a significant boost for Juventus's push for UEFA Champions League qualification, as the team has missed his technical quality in the final third.
Yildiz, who joined Juventus from Bayern Munich's youth academy in 2022, has become an important figure for the Bianconeri this season, making 27 appearances across all competitions. His absence has coincided with a goal drought, having not scored in his last four matches. His potential return also carries weight for his international prospects, with the European Championship in Germany this summer on the horizon, followed by the 2026 World Cup in the United States and Canada.
For Juventus, Yildiz's recovery is timely, with the club needing all available firepower for its final league fixtures. Manager Massimiliano Allegri will be eager to reintegrate a player capable of providing the creative acumen to unlock defenses in tightly-contested matches. His return would offer an alternative to the currently utilized Jeremie Boga, providing a different tactical option as the season reaches its climax.
