Juventus legend David Trezegeut reflected on his special bond with the fans while in Orlando, sharing his thoughts on the current Juventus squad under Igor Tudor, and offered insights into the club’s future stars and transfer ambitions. Speaking to Tuttosport, the French icon opened up about the team’s mentality, the rise of new talents, and what it takes to carry the legacy of Juventus forward.
“All This Affection Makes Me Immensely Happy”
Asked if he expected such a welcome, Trezeguet replied:
“All this affection cannot help but make me immensely happy. I have always had a close bond with Juventus fans. It’s a pleasure to be here in Orlando and spend some time with them. After all, together we made history…”
“Tudor’s Juventus and the Winning Mentality”
With his former teammate Igor Tudor now coaching Juventus, Trezeguet shared his thoughts on the team’s direction:
“They qualified for the Round of 16 ahead of schedule, with two well-played matches against Al Ain and Wydad. Little by little, they’re trying to become protagonists again, reviving that Juventus mentality that ‘winning is the only thing that counts.’”
Reflecting on the team’s performance at the Club World Cup, he added:
“In the first two matches, they showed they are a solid team, scoring many goals. City aside, I see a different mentality and a new way of managing matches. But the real World Cup for Juventus starts now, with the knockout phase. From the Round of 16 onwards, it’s a whole new adventure. I like Tudor: he understands the Juventus world. He’s made important changes, unlike what Motta did at the start of the season. The players seem to have understood his ideas and his way of working. This World Cup journey could prove interesting for what comes next.”
“Let’s Judge the New Club World Cup at the End”
On the recently criticized new Club World Cup format, Trezeguet was measured:
“We’ll judge at the end. We still need to fully understand this format and the location: in the States, it’s very hot, and the match times (Juventus played City at 3pm) don’t help the spectacle or quality of play. But in this first phase, you could feel the palpable passion in the stadiums. And that’s not nothing…”
On Yildiz, Thuram, and Kalulu
Turning to the club’s new talents, Trezeguet was especially positive about Kenan Yildiz:
“He’s a really interesting kid; he has a great future ahead. He needs to keep training well and understand—not just because of his undeniable quality—where he is and what his role is at Juventus. I think he’s showing himself to be a promising talent, but he’s at the start of his career. He should be left calm and free to enjoy himself, to do his thing. These are fundamental prerequisites to make a difference at Juventus.”
On the club’s French connection and the role of Kolo Muani, he said:
“It’s clear that Kolo Muani has regained his lost confidence after the season at Paris Saint-Germain. Since arriving in Turin, he’s had the chance to show his quality. He’s an important player, worthy of the French national team. He’s proving himself, and I think he’s happy at Juventus. Tudor’s system suits him: he looks comfortable on the pitch. He’s important for the club, and it’s up to him to keep raising the bar by improving day after day.”
“Vlahovic Still Has to Prove Himself”
Asked about Dusan Vlahovic, who’s struggled to find his place under Tudor, Trezeguet was direct:
“Dusan still has to show he deserves the Juventus shirt. How can he get out of this moment? By working hard, hoping to win back the spot that now belongs to Kolo.”
“Kolo Muani and Jonathan David Could Be a Great Pair”
On whether Kolo Muani can be a 20-goal striker, Trezeguet remained pragmatic:
“I don’t know. The club will make the right evaluations, weighing investments based on financial resources. Today, Juventus have two good strikers, but if the club and Tudor decide they need more reinforcements up front, it’s right to try to get them.”
On the potential arrival of Jonathan David:
“Yes, exactly (laughs). He’s a guy who showed interesting numbers in France. Of course, Juventus is another story compared to Lille, so we can’t judge him until he arrives in Italy—if the club decides to go all-in for him. Jonathan is young, fast, and talented. He’s a strong profile who scores regularly. We’ll see.”
Asked if David and Kolo Muani could work well together, he was optimistic:
“Absolutely yes, I wouldn’t see them badly together at all. On paper, they could do great things. And let’s not forget that Yildiz would be playing with them too…”
“Gattuso Is the Right Man for Italy”
Finally, on Gennaro Gattuso’s challenge to lead Italy to the next World Cup, Trezeguet was supportive:
“The FIGC has chosen a well-known figure who’s used to the atmosphere at Coverciano. When you coach the national team, you don’t have much time to impose your technical ideas. In the end, it’s all about creating an emotional bond with the players. I think Gennaro is the right person to move forward and secure World Cup qualification.”
