OPINION
It’s clear by now that Rafael Benitez only has two full backs that he trusts at Newcastle United – DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummett.
Javier Manquillo and Acraf Lazaar don’t get a sniff of the first team unless there’s exceptional circumstances and, while Ciaran Clark can fill in on the left, he’s no real competition for Dummett.
It’s vital, then, that Benitez adds some quality to his full back ranks in January, and Everton right back Jonjoe Kenny could be just the man.
Everything about a potential Kenny move makes sense for the Magpies, starting with the 21-year-old’s reported wages of just £3,000-per-week [Source: Spotrac] – we know Mike Ashley loves a bargain.
Kenny isn’t getting the game time that he deserves at Goodison Park due to the return to fitness of Toffees mainstay Seamus Coleman. Indeed, it appears that the Republic of Ireland international will pose a considerable barrier to the Liverpudlian’s first team aspirations for some time to come.
It would make sense, then, for him to move on come the winter transfer window, and Newcastle would be an ideal destination for him.
Yedlin’s performances have suffered recently due to the fact that he has no one challenging him for his first team spot. He knows Rafa is going to select him every week because he has no other real alternative.
Having Kenny providing competition for Yedlin, and eventually maybe taking his starting spot, would be fantastic for the Magpies.
The youngster proved at the start of the season that he could cut it as a starting Premier League full back. He made four starts in a row from September through to October and didn’t look out of place in any of them.
Coleman’s presence puts a cap on his Everton potential, however, and he would be wise to start looking elsewhere for first team opportunities.
Newcastle have a need at right back, and Kenny requires a fresh start. Everton likely wouldn’t put up too much of a fight because they have Coleman already embedded at the position. It’s a win-win for everyone.