Newcastle United lifted the Championship title in what was Rafa Benitez’s first ever season in the second tier in England. The Spanish manager will now hope that his side are ready to put in a similar performance in the top flight as well, and will hope for a place in the top half of the table.
This has seen him look at some of the finest players in Europe to improve his squad and one player now extensively linked with a move to the club is Chelsea youngster Kenedy.
Newcastle and Chelsea open talks
The Magpies are looking to make sure that they are well stacked in every department and are looking to spend on players who are unable to get into the first team at their parent club but have enough potential. And reports from the Sky Sports now claim that they are close to landing the Chelsea star on a loan this summer.
It is reported that the Spanish gaffer met the player recently and hopes to finalise a deal before his first game over Spurs this weekend. So is Kenedy a decent addition to the squad?
Kenedy and his potential
A product of the Fluminense academy in Brazil, the Santa Rita born defender was deemed as one of the most exciting players in the domestic arena in his country. He only moved to Chelsea in 2015 and has already made 15 senior appearances before he was sent out on loan to Watford at the start of the previous season.
He failed to get any regular playing time at the Vicarage Road and is now back at the Bridge with Antonio Conte. However, he has little chance of making the Chelsea first team and a move to Newcastle might be the best one for him yet.
Known for his aggressive approach and strength in hold up play, Kenedy is strong in the air and is a defender tailor-made for the English game. He can also play in an advanced role on the wing but is at his best playing at left-back.
His is at times lethargic in tracking back and puts in some unwanted tackles but his ability to create chances as well as sit back and soak up pressure will help Newcastle United in times of contingency.
Chances at Newcastle
Rafa Benitez has a solid first choice left-back in the form of Paul Dummett the Welsh international is 25 and is expected to be the first choice for the club throughout the next season. However, Jesus Gamez, primarily a right back and Ciaran Clark, who is primarily a central defender are the only other options the Magpies have, for their first team this season.
Kenedy may not be able to walk into the first team here but he is definitely behind Dummett in the pecking order and will get plenty of chances to prove himself. At 21, he is still learning the game and who better than to learn, other than Rafa himself. The manager will give the youngster his chance to impress and surely, he can turn into a star if he can take his opportunities and move to Newcastle this summer.
