Chelsea: Kenedy, Baba Rahman are not the depth Conte needs at LWB
By George Perry
Schalke are interested in buying Baba Rahman, and Chelsea are barely interested in keeping Kenedy. Despite their need for depth at left wing-back, they should move these two fringe players and find long-term solutions for all involved.
Kenedy and Baba Rahman have few spoils to fight over at Chelsea FC, particularly after Saturday’s draw at Norwich City. Kenedy had nominally held the advantage over Rahman as Marcos Alonso’ cover at left wing-back. After the FA Cup tie, though, Rahman may now be in the better position – not because he is any closer to Chelsea’s match-day squad, but because he has an interested suitor.
Schalke, for whom Rahman played 21 games on loan last season, would like to bring him back, preferably on a permanent transfer. Schalke’s coach noted Rahman still has his flat in Schalke, and the club are assessing his fitness levels.
Rahman’s fitness levels will be one of Chelsea’s major concerns, given his injury history, along with his relative inexperience. Despite his 23 games with the Blues in 2015/16, he has only 124 first-team games total across the Premier League, Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2. This puts him well ahead of Kenedy but still well below Antonio Conte’s preferred minimum number of games, even for depth players.
Even if Rahman were at full fitness, he would be nowhere near the necessary match sharpness nor rapport with the team to provide depth in a match-day squad. At best, he would take Kenedy’s spot in the domestic cup games.
Must Read: Chelsea's slow starts costing them early leads and counter-attacking finishes
But with the Carabao Cup now to the semi-finals against Arsenal, the only opportunities for Kenedy and Rahman could be the FA Cup. Those prospects are not much better, though. Last season, Antonio Conte turned to increasingly strong lineups as Chelsea progressed through the FA Cup and faced higher-level competition. With Newcastle looming on the other side of the Norwich replay, should Chelsea win, Conte may not be willing to entrust either with his left flank.
Chelsea should accept whatever Schalke offers for Baba Rahman. He will not provide Chelsea any benefit this season, and by the time he approaches match readiness the Blues will have a true long-term option. Like so many players in the extended loan army – particularly the injured ones – keeping him on the books at Stamford Bridge only hampers his long-term development.
Chelsea should also seek a destination for Kenedy. Antonio Conte may have been willing to let what happened in China stay in China, but he will not wall off his memory in such a way from Carrow Road. The entire starting XI save Willian has a long road ahead to restore their standing in Conte’s eyes. Kenedy had little to claim, and may well be past the point of any return.
At best, Kenedy and Baba Rahman are redundant as distant depth to Marcos Alonso. At worst, having either or both in the squad masks Chelsea’s very real need for depth at left wing-back. Their presence could hinder the club acting decisively this January to obtain a real solution like Alex Telles, Ryan Sessegnon or Alex Sandro.
Next: Thibaut and Thorgan: Chelsea should build a future around Eden Hazard
The club should move on at least one of them. If Rahman has offers on the table, Chelsea should make it happen. And if Rafael Benitez is still interested in Kenedy, at least he is cup-tied.