Juventus have begun to map out a patient route back for Kenan Yildiz, whose season was interrupted almost as soon as it started by a fracture of the fifth metatarsal suffered after the opening Serie A match against Frosinone. The Turkish forward has now returned to Turin for routine checks at JMedical, arriving with crutches and a protective boot as the next phase of his recovery begins.
Yildiz underwent surgery on 31 August at the Hessingpark-Clinic in Regensburg, the German city where he was born, and completed the initial part of his rehabilitation there. Back in Italy, the focus will be on a tailored programme designed not only to allow the bone to heal properly but also to preserve his muscle condition during a long absence.
There will be considerable work away from the ball before Juventus consider reintroducing football-specific training. Metatarsal injuries demand caution, particularly for a player expected to make repeated changes of direction and carry a creative burden in attacking areas. The club’s priority is to avoid turning a difficult lay-off into a relapse or a wider physical problem.
A return without shortcuts
The most optimistic scenario would put Yildiz in contention around the next international break, between the opening and middle stages of November. Juventus, however, are more likely to take a conservative view and look towards December for his competitive return, allowing him to regain sharpness over the turn of the year.
That approach reflects the wider demands of a season in which the decisive months should come in February and March 2027. Juventus do not want to arrive at that point already removed from contention, a pattern that marked the past two years under Thiago Motta, Igor Tudor and Luciano Spalletti. Yildiz was meant to make this campaign his step into greater responsibility; instead, he may return feeling like a significant winter addition.
The squad gives Juventus some room to wait. Alajbegovic and Boga are available as alternatives in his area of the pitch, while Nico Gonzalez has rediscovered form and Weston McKennie remains an adaptable option across the flanks, whether the need is in midfield, defence or attack.
The fixture list also offers a measure of protection. Lazio and Rennes will visit the Stadium, while Juventus face away matches at Lecce and Genoa before Napoli come to Turin. There are further trips to Alkmaar and Fiorentina before the international break. Venezia and Omonia Nicosia could also pass without Yildiz being rushed back.
Como has been identified as one possible target if the recovery progresses smoothly, although the away match could present a demanding return. The Coppa Italia tie with Sassuolo on 2 December is another potential date. From then until the end of the year, Juventus are scheduled to face Udinese, Beer Sheva, Monza and Roma.
The aim is for Yildiz to be fully operational by that stage and ready to carry real influence through 2027. Juventus have not won a trophy since the Coppa Italia in 2024, while their last Scudetto arrived in 2020. In a squad still searching for the player who can give its attacking work a distinctive edge, the club can afford neither to lose his talent for longer nor to bring him back before his body is ready.
