Chelsea: Kenedy transfer rumours are flattering, but premature
By George Perry
Kenedy is having a successful loan spell at Newcastle, helping Rafael Benitez move the club well clear of relegation since arriving in late January. But this is too small a sample to warrant the transfer rumours about PSG and Bayern Munich.
The second half of Kenedy’s season is going quite a bit better than the first. Kenedy did not make any Premier League appearances for Chelsea before leaving for Newcastle in late January. Now tucked back under the wing of Rafael Benitez, Kenedy has eight starts for 599 minutes.
In that time he has scored twice and assisted on two other goals. This makes him Newcastle’s fifth most-prolific goal creator (goals plus assists) this season, despite playing only 25% of the team’s games. Kenedy had his first assist on his debut with the club, when the Magpies were in 14th place but only one point above the relegation zone. Coming off of three straight wins, Benitez, Kenedy and co. are in 10th with 38 points and a near-guarantee of survival.
Kenedy’s quick flourishing under Rafael Benitez and the sense he is finally developing into his potential are spurring some early transfer rumours. Sky Sports reports Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have asked Chelsea to let them know if they are interested in selling the young Brazilian.
Despite his improvement, Kenedy is still a long way from being a proven top-flight player. Being at Newcastle can cut two ways. Someone in the pro-Kenedy camp would say Kenedy is so good he is pulling Newcastle to safety and showing what a Rafael Benitez team should look like. Someone who is less of a Kenedy partisan would say Kenedy is good by Newcastle standards, but is not ready for a Champions League side.
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These rumours are reminiscent of the Victor-Moses-to-Barcelona rumours last season. Moses had an unexpected breakout season as Chelsea’s right wing-back. He was a discovery in a new role, and that role itself broke the mould, particularly for players in England. With so few quality wing-backs on the market and Chelsea marching to a Premier League title, Moses’ stock rocketed.
Barcelona are probably quite happy now they did not make that impulse purchase. Chelsea have faded, and Moses has in tandem. For him to be a Barcelona-calibre player, he would need to be shining brightest among all Chelsea players. He would need to be the one standing between their current situation and an even worse predicament (see also: Hazard, Eden). If a right wing-back can single-handedly pull a team through, he would have to do it.
Kenedy is a few years off from being a true transfer target for one of the continental giants. And that is perfect for Chelsea’s presumed development plan for him. If Chelsea decide to loan him again next season, all parties involved will fight for him to return to Newcastle. If Newcastle continue their resurgence under Rafael Benitez, they may tender a bid for him before any other serious offer comes in.
Or Chelsea may choose to keep him next season. While Kenedy has the raw characteristics to be a top left wing-back, he is thriving as a winger at Newcastle and Chelsea’s left wing situation is very much in flux. Pedro is working his way towards the fringes of the squad, if not the door. Eden Hazard may or may not be a Blue next season. If he stays, he could use some competition in the squad. Kenedy could be an in-house solution.
If the Blues ever get around to incorporating Emerson Palmieri into the XI, he and Kenedy can give Chelsea one of the quickest left sides in the league. The two of them would give Chelsea blistering pace along the flank, with Kenedy coming inside for the final move. The biggest risk could be them completely outrunning their teammates in the centre and on the right.
Kenedy may be more hopeful of Leonardo Jardim coming in than anyone else. Kenedy and Antonio Conte obviously have a fraught relationship, and Conte’s departure could clear the clouds over Kenedy. Tactically, the Palmieri-Kenedy tandem would be perfect under Jardim.
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Kenedy and Rafael Benitez have done everything right with the Brazilian’s loan so far. The rumours are flattering and speak to his promise. But he is more likely to be at Stamford Bridge -and would benefit more from it – than Paris or Munich next season.