Kenan Yildiz perfect example of Juventus Next Gen project success

Kenan Yildiz is the poster child for the Juventus Next Gen project bringing players straight through and ready for the senior squad, said director Claudio Chiellini, as he encourages other clubs to follow suit.

It is only in the last few years that Italian clubs have been allowed to set up second teams in Serie C, the third division, using it as a way of getting players from the academy to compete against older figures and get that valuable playing time.

“This project makes us proud and there is a very clear thing to look at: today the Number 10 of Juventus is a player who until December of last year, so nine months ago, was the Number 10 of the Next Gen,” Chiellini told the Juventus website.

“That has a very strong meaning, without forgetting the progress of the players like Savona, Mbangula and Rouhi into the senior squad. The move from the Next Gen team to the senior side has become a consistent track in recent years.

“The Next Gen project does not just mean helping players to grow, but also in creating and developing figures who can aim to work for the Juventus first team. It is a project that develops competence in every sector and reinforces a sense of belonging.”

Kenan Yildiz turned 19 in May and has been given the prestigious Number 10 jersey at Juve along with a new contract.

He was part of the Bayern Munich academy before coming to Juventus in 2022.

Juventus want more clubs to follow this path

Atalanta had until this year been the only other Italian club to set up a second team, followed by Milan Futuro this season, where Italy Under-17 starlet Francesco Camarda plays.

Chiellini, the twin brother of former Juventus defender Giorgio, believes this is the way to keep costs down and help bring fresh talent through in-house.

“I am very happy that Atalanta and Milan have taken the same path. I think now it is the time to take another step, to set up a round table with the various Leagues to help set up second teams not just in Serie C, but also Serie D.

The places are limited in Serie C, where at most one spot opens up every year, whereas opening up registration for Serie D would eliminate a lot of structural problems and give greater visibility to that league. After all, let us not forget some of the current Juve players got their start in Serie D, like Federico Gatti and Andrea Cambiaso.”