A change out wide?
Few can argue that Kenedy has been astute loan signing by Benitez, adding balance, industry and a fresh attacking threat on the left flank. Two assists in his first two games for Newcastle had supporters purring but the Brazilian’s form has taken a slight dip in the last few games and Benitez may be toying with the idea of resting a player who has started the last five matches having barely played for Chelsea during the first half of the season.
Granting Kenedy a breather, albeit from the substitutes bench, would see in-form Matt Ritchie deservedly return to the starting XI after he was rested against Liverpool, whilst Jacob Murphy could benefit from a run of games after being frozen out following Kenedy’s arrival. Both players have struggled this season but have shown flashes of what they are capable of – Ritchie most recently after scoring the winner against Manchester United in the last home game – and would provide more of a threat going forward than the lamentable efforts of Christian Atsu recently.
