Frank Lampard has waxed lyrical over Jonjoe Kenny following the outcast defender’s efforts in Everton’s win over Leeds United and his work in training, while speaking with EvertonTV.
Kenny has cut a peripheral role at Goodison Park this term after former boss Rafa Benitez developed a disproving opinion. The Spaniard only fielded the 24-year-old in three Premier League fixtures for a mere 176-minutes. Additionally, he only started the right-back twice.
Benitez signing Rangers product Nathan Patterson for £16m in the January transfer window was set to further limit Kenny’s opportunities. Yet while the Scotland international is yet to feature for the Toffees, Lampard fielded Kenny in the FA Cup before starting against Leeds.
Kenny has so far made each of his appearances in Lampard’s Everton from a makeshift left-back role. Yet the natural right-back fared strongly against Leeds star Raphinha at Goodison Park, while also helping the Blues to break the deadlock early on through Seamus Coleman.
Lampard in awe of Everton ace Jonjoe Kenny for attitude in training
Kenny provided a regular attacking threat on Everton’s left-hand channel to help Lampard to his first league win in charge. The Toffees product also impressed his new boss against Leeds, while also standing out at Finch Farm with his endless determination to improve.
“I love Jonjoe’s attitude in training every day,” Lampard said. “He loves Everton and always wants to train and do better. Any session and any drill you do, he wants to give everything. And he is a quality player, [good with] both feet and technically very good for a defender.
“He will give you everything – positionally he was great, in terms of holding his position, then jumping out and making tackles at the right time. Jonjoe is perfect for any game – but especially when we needed discipline, effort and toughness, and he showed those things.”
Lampard started Kenny at left-back against Leeds as Everton were without Benitez’s other January addition, Vitalii Mykolenko. The £17m signing from Dynamo Kyiv was absent, but the Toffees expect the Ukraine international to be fit to face Southampton this Saturday.
Mykolenko’s return will test Kenny’s progress as Lampard weighs up his starting line-up for Everton’s south coast trip. The 22-year-old winter capture started the ex-Chelsea boss’ first match at the helm in the FA Cup against Brentford, but is yet to play for him in the league.
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