Speaking on The Mighty Blues YouTube channel, Cameron Hay is unsure of Jonjoe Kenny’s ability to perform for Everton.
The academy graduate may be thrust into the first-team spotlight in the Toffees’ next Premier League fixture against Burnley, as first-choice right-back and captain Seamus Coleman has sustained an injury while away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.
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Despite being linked with several right-backs over the summer, Everton and Marcel Brands failed to bring in a right-sided full-back who could challenge and provide cover for Coleman, who is now 32 years old.
Hay spoke about whether or not Kenny is good enough to deputise for Coleman.
“Can Jonjoe step in and do a decent enough job? I personally don’t think Jonjoe Kenny’s good enough, I don’t. And I know some Evertonians will tell me otherwise, and I know some Evertonians believe he is.
“Personally, for me, I don’t think Jonjoe Kenny’s good enough to be Everton’s right-back going forward. If Everton want to be challenging to get in Europe, if Everton want to be challenging with those sides to break into the top six, top seven etc, I don’t personally think Jonjoe Kenny’s good enough to be a member of a side that’s doing that.”
TIF Thoughts on Kenny…
Coleman has struggled to start a high volume of games in the Premier League over recent seasons, so it should have been obvious to Everton and Brands that a backup was required considering that Kenny has only ever started 26 top-flight English games.
The most experience that Kenny has mustered up during his career at 24 years old was a loan spell in the German Bundesliga with Schalke, which saw him feature 34 times, but eventually return to Goodison Park still unable to dislodge Coleman – and after still finding himself behind the captain, his future may be set in stone if he can’t impress during the Republic of Ireland international’s absence.
Either way, it seems Everton are down to the bare bones and Hay’s concerns may come from a lack of depth as much as a lack of quality in the Toffees’ backline.