With rumours swirling that Chelsea FC have signed Fluminense forward Kenedy, there have been many questions surrounding the move. These aren’t questioning the transfer itself, though, but have more come about from people trying to figure out who this guy actually is. Let’s find out then, shall we?
Full Name: Robert Kenedy Nunes do Nascimento
Date of Birth: February 8th, 1996
Position: Forward
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Robert Kenedy Nunes do Nascimento, commonly known as Kenedy, is a 19 year old striker born in Brazil. He currently plies his trade at the top level of Brazilian football with Fluminense FC.
The forward has always been at Flu, having worked his way up their youth ranks before being promoted to the senior squad for the 2013 season (NB: Brazilian football seasons run yearly, as opposed to traversing two years in a traditional manner). He went on to make nine appearances for the club that year, with three of them being starts.
The following year saw the youngster feature more regularly in the
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
(the Brazilian league), albeit in no real significant way. In the 38 game campaign, Kenedy featured 20 times although 18 of those involved coming off the bench. He did, however, net two goals including this very cool finish to rescue a late point for Flu against Cruzeiro:
This year, meanwhile, Kenedy has only played in one out of a possible eight Brasileiro games. However, he has scored three goals in ten appearances for his club in the Campeonato Carioca which is the state competition for the Rio de Janeiro area.
With such limited opportunities, it does make you wonder how and why Jose Mourinho has taken what looks increasingly like a £6.3 million punt.
Well, the forward has been dubbed the ‘new Neymar’ by people in the knowledge of Brazilian football and is said to possess a bulging bag of skills. One of his best traits, according to this Daily Mail columnist, is his game awareness: ‘ tends not to overdo it, preferring to get a shot on goal than go down blind alleys.’
Furthermore, standing at nearly six feet with a build to accompany it, he looks to have the physical presence that is required in the Premier League. Even better, he has the agility and speed of someone much more slight which is quite a devastating combination for an attacking player.
Regarding weaknesses, meanwhile, it is said that he heavily favours his left foot while tracking back is apparently not high up on his list of priorities.
Having said this, most of the world’s great footballers at the moment are severely one footed, and if he is deployed as a striker, defensive qualities will be largely be over-looked in lieu of a capability to put the ball in the back of the net.
On an international front, Kenedy has played for numerous Brazil sides including most recently for the U20 outfit; the senior squad is just a matter of time for him especially if he adapts as expected to the higher demands of the Premier League.
Chelsea fans, however, shouldn’t expect to see the Brazilian wonderkid in a Blue shirt any time soon. There are foreseeable issues with obtaining a work permit which should result in him being sent out on loan for at least the next campaign, if not more.
So there we have it, Chelsea fans. Are you excited about this seemingly unknown quantity? Do you think that he’ll develop into a star at Stamford Bridge? Vote in the poll and sound off in the comments below!
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