Zeki Çelik arrived at Juventus quietly, on a free transfer, with a minimum of fanfare. His first major interview in black and white, delivered from Perth ahead of Friday’s Derby d’Italia friendly against Inter, was conducted in the same spirit: measured, sincere, and entirely without ego. What emerged was the portrait of a player who is exactly where he wants to be — and who knows precisely why.
“I Made the Best Choice for My Career”
On the decision to leave Roma for Juventus — a move that required turning down a renewal offer from the Giallorossi and walking towards their most significant domestic rival — Çelik was unambiguous. “I made the best choice for my career,” he said. “I know Massara from a long time ago, and when he contacted me I said yes immediately. I am delighted to be here and happy to test myself on the pitch.”
The Massara factor is again central to the story. Frederic Massara’s ability to activate personal relationships to deliver players who would not otherwise have been accessible continues to define the new Juventus’s transfer approach — and Çelik is one of its cleanest expressions.
“Thank You Roma — I Will Always Respect the Supporters”
Çelik’s words about his former club were generous and entirely without bitterness — the response of a professional who leaves with his head held high rather than any grievance to nurse. “At Roma I grew enormously, both physically and mentally — as a player and as a person. For that reason I want to thank all my coaches, teammates, staff members, and all the supporters who always backed me whilst I was in red and yellow. I have always respected them.”
It is the kind of farewell that makes a difficult situation — leaving for a direct competitor — as clean and dignified as circumstances allow.
On Yıldız: “I Am Certain He Will Reach Important Results This Season”
Perhaps the most warmly received passage of the interview concerned Kenan Yıldız — the player alongside whom Çelik will spend large portions of his Juventus career, given their shared position on the left side of the pitch. “I have known him for a long time. He is a player of great quality and I am certain he will reach important results this season with Juventus. I will help him in everything I can. He is one of the key players in this squad — but we also have other important players around him. We will do beautiful things together. I like him very much.”
“I Will Score More Goals in This System”
One of the more unexpected details of the interview came when Çelik addressed his attacking potential within Spalletti’s system — with a confidence that will have made supporters sit up. “If at the end of the season I have won trophies, I will be very happy,” he said. “With this tactical system I will be able to score more goals — although obviously I remain a defender first.”
The comment is not as surprising as it first appears. Spalletti’s wide defenders are required to contribute in advanced areas with regularity, and Çelik — who provided nine assists across his Roma career from right-back — has always had an instinct for the final third that suits the role. If the system enables more end product from his position, a Turkish right-back with goals on his mind could prove a very useful addition to this Juventus attack indeed.
