Newcastle United snapped up Kenedy from Chelsea last month.
Newcastle United left it late to do their January business, but the early signs for manager Rafael Benitez appear to be positive after Sunday’s 1-0 win over Manchester United.
The Magpies needed reinforcements in January, but could only complete three late loan deals as Kenedy, Martin Dubravka and Islam Slimani all arrived from Chelsea, Sparta Prague and Leicester City respectively.
Dubravka enjoyed a dream debut against United with a number of saves and a clean sheet, whilst Newcastle should already be thinking about Kenedy’s future at the club.
The Brazilian wide man, 21, has found first-team football hard to come by with Chelsea since his 2015 move from Fluminense, and he decided to step out from the Stamford Bridge shadows last month in order to join Newcastle.
So far, Kenedy has shown real skill on the ball and flair that Newcastle have needed, and first-team football appears to be just what he needed, judging from the early signs.
Newcastle may have one eye on a permanent move for Kenedy, and the player himself should be keen given how his path to first-team football has been blocked so far at Chelsea, and made even worse last month.
Antonio Conte brought in another left wing back in Roma’s Emerson, and he will now serve as backup to Marcos Alonso, meaning Kenedy would be third-choice – at best – at the end of loan exit.
At Newcastle, Kenedy can feel like an important first-team player, and wouldn’t have to be shoe-horned into a wing back role, instead featuring on the left of midfield, and Chelsea’s January business should show the youngster that his future lies at St. James’ Park – not in West London.
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