Kenedy’s recent comments hinted that he may have little interest in staying at Newcastle United permanently.
Kenedy was arguably the Magpies’ most exciting addition from a lacklustre summer window. The Brazilian was superb during the second-half of last season, so securing a return on loan appeared to be a masterstroke from Newcastle.
He is yet to find his best form since returning to St James’ Park, and angered some supporters by recently suggesting that his goal is to force his way into the Chelsea side in future. But Benitez suggested that he would not shut the door on the idea of Kenedy sticking around beyond his current loan spell just yet.
“We can be saying: ‘If he is doing well, maybe he will go back to Chelsea’. But Chelsea may sign three players who can play in his position as well. Then he will see he has no chance of playing there and stays here. Still, I think it is too early to talk about that but in his head, the main thing is to just keep playing well.
“At the moment it is a loan but we have a very good relationship with Chelsea, with him and his agent so we are in a good position.”
Kenedy has certainly done himself few favours. He is arguably not playing well enough to prove a point to Chelsea or to get away with such comments without angering the Newcastle fans who are relying on him to perform after such a disappointing summer.
He showed last season that he is a significantly better player than the one that the fans have had to watch so far, and Newcastle need him to quickly prove why the club were so keen to bring him back this summer having seemingly rolled the dice with a move in January.
His form improving is something that the fans need to see after the club’s poor start to the campaign – even if it lessens the chances of Newcastle being able to keep the winger beyond the end of the season when his loan deal ends.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
