With no starts and Benitez’s problem position, Chelsea’s Kenedy should rue failed Newcastle move

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Newcastle’s left back situation has been a problem for Rafael Benitez this season.

Newcastle’s frustrating summer transfer window included missing out on a host of signings – and one target who escaped the net was Chelsea’s Kenedy.

Manager Rafael Benitez wanted considerable reinforcements after winning promotion back to the Premier League, but after landing Christian Atsu permanently, he was only able to bring in Florian Lejeune, Javier Manquillo, Mikel Merino, Jacob Murphy and Joselu.

Newcastle wanted other signings, and they missed out on a number of targets over the summer, much to Benitez’s frustration – and one of those was Kenedy.

Chelsea wide man Kenedy, 21, joined the Blues from Fluminense in 2015 having impressed in his native Brazil, but he has struggled for first-team football at Stamford Bridge, making just 23 first-team appearances for the Blues.

After a torrid loan spell with Watford last season, and having been sent home from Chelsea’s pre-season tour of China over controversial social media posts, Kenedy’s days at Chelsea looked to be numbered.

As reported by The Telegraph, Newcastle had hoped to seal a season-long loan deal for Kenedy before the transfer deadline, but for whatever reason, the move fell through.

Now, Kenedy has yet to make a Premier League appearance for Chelsea this season as he struggles to make any sort of impact under Antonio Conte, and he may well be wishing that his move to Newcastle went through.

Newcastle have been forced to use four different players at left back this season, starting the season with Paul Dummett there before Matt Ritchie had to fill in against Tottenham, whilst Chancel Mbemba and Javier Manquillo have both played there recently.

Whilst Kenedy isn’t a natural left back, he does have some experience there, and the revolving door that is Newcastle’s left back spot means that Kenedy may well have been playing regularly with the Magpies – and it remains to be seen whether Benitez tries again in January.