Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has given his support to under-performing winger Kenedy, who has struggled in the early stages of the new campaign.
The 22-year-old, on a reported £25k-per-week, starred for the club during a loan spell from Chelsea in the second half of last season. However, he has been unable to replicate that form so far this term.
Benitez is unconcerned, however: “He came to us on loan last season and did really well,” he told the Chronicle. “Everybody expected the same level from him from the first minute of the season. Every season is different though.
“His partner has had another baby and it is a time when he needs to settle down. But we had a conversation and we analysed things he did well and did wrong. He knows he has my support. Now he needs to work hard and deliver because if he works hard he will be OK, he has the talent and he can do well,” the Spaniard said.
OPINION
Like the majority of Newcastle players, Kenedy has endured a tough start to the season. The Magpies have had difficult fixtures so far, to be fair, but everybody associated with the club has underperformed this term. Kenedy, due to how well he played when he joined Newcastle last year, is one of those who has disappointed supporters most. He was electric for the team following his January arrival, but has not been able to produce those sort of displays in the early part of this season. That doesn’t mean he won’t as the year progresses, but he needs to start playing better soon. Newcastle fans will be hoping that he comes back from the international break rejuvenated and that he, and the rest of the team, pick things up a bit once they’re back. If not, the club could be in for another tough season after a lack of significant summer investment.