Newcastle United are in an important stage of their season as the much-anticipated takeover could define their campaign. The January transfer window will also be affected by this but manager Rafa Benitez is convinced that his side can add the necessary quality to go the distance later this season. This has seen Newcastle United been linked with a number of exciting stars and one player they are confident of signing is Chelsea star Kenedy.
Transfer story
A transfer target of the Magpies even in the summer, Kenedy was close to a move to the St James’ Park before the start of the season but Chelsea decided not to let him go after they failed to secure a replacement in time. However, Rafa Benitez seems to have worked enough on this deal in the summer and reports now suggest that the player will be complete his move in the upcoming days.
The Telegraph suggest that the Brazilian is just one of four new faces the manager wants to add to the squad this month but is Kenedy a good signing for them?
Mini scout report
A product of the at the academies at Vasco de Gama and Fluminense, the 21-year old only moved to London back in 2015 and is yet to impress Antonio Conte, the current manager at Chelsea. He has just 15 league appearances for the Blues, none this season, and needs a move away from the club to find some game time.
A versatile player who can play as efficiently as a winger as he can as a left-back, Kenedy is an attacking minded player who loves to use his pace and dribbling prowess to get the better of his opponents in the final third. Agile and confident on the ball, he has a decent touch and gifted technique which become all the more dangerous, thanks to his understanding of the game.
He still needs to work on his defence and his performances for Chelsea have shown that he will be a liability when played in the top flight. However, as a wing-back or as a winger, he can be a more than a productive option for the clubs in England.
Chances at St James’ Park
Rafa Benitez is an orthodox manager and has stuck to a rigid 4-2-3-1 for most of the games this season. He has used a three-man backline just twice in the league this season and is not expected to turn to it on a regular basis. So it is hard to see Kenedy solving the problems Rafa has at left-back.
Javier Manquillo remains the manager’s first choice this season but the likes of Chancel Mbemba, Paul Dummett and Jesus Gamez do not seem to have impressed him in this make-shift role. He is desperate to solve this problem once and for all but Kenedy might not be ready yet to take up this role.
Rafa surely sees something in the youngster and is ready to bring him on board and though there might be better options available in the transfer market, Kenedy might just have a huge role to play at the club this season.
