Newcastle haven’t enjoyed much luck in the loan market in recent years – but in Kenedy, the club may sense that fortune has finally dealt them a good hand and a chance to repair the broken trust between Rafa Benitez and the club hierarchy.
Few loanees – Loic Remy aside – have made such a pronounced impact on the pitch, if any at all, in such a short space of time as the exciting albeit unpolished left-sided winger, endearing himself to United supporters with a succession of committed performances since he was borrowed from Chelsea in January.
Despite playing only six times in black and white the 21-year-old has created two goals, scored twice and demonstrated the credentials that persuaded Chelsea to sign him from Fluminense in 2015, and why Benitez relentlessly pursued him for six months across two transfer windows.
His brace in a man of the match display during the 3-0 victory over Southampton in Newcastle’s last Premier League fixture was a measure of the quality and potential recognised by Benitez last summer and left criminally unused by Antonio Conte despite a lack of cover at left-wing back.
Kenedy had never made a Premier League appearance for the Blues before a temporary switch to Tyneside, but Benitez felt the Brazilian had the game-changing ability that would help to improve his side during the second half of the season and his judgement has since been unreservedly vindicated.
Retaining the Brazil under-23 international for next season, either permanently or in another loan agreement, will be of paramount importance to Benitez, with the player even hinting in a recent interview with UOL that he is open to staying at Newcastle beyond the current campaign.
“If it’s good for everyone, it would be a pleasure to continue wearing the shirt of this great team,” he said.
“This new phase of my career in Newcastle’s shirt makes me very happy.
“It is very difficult for a player to stay out of action injured for a long time, even more difficult to get back into the rhythm of the Premier League.”
But the permanent capture of Kenedy would mean significantly more than just squad improvement; it’s an opportunity for the Newcastle hierarchy to begin dissolving the barrier of hostility that has lain between Benitez and Mike Ashley since last summer.
Benitez has felt undermined by Ashley in three successive transfer windows, with the Magpies owner neglecting to support the ambition of his manager whilsy reneging on several promises made to the Spaniard when he agreed to remain as Newcastle manager following relegation to the Championship two seasons ago.
Naturally, Benitez’s frustration with Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley’s sedate approach to recruitment spilled out into interviews and press conferences after Newcastle missed out on a host of targets he had identified, scouted and recommended to Charnley before the start of last season and in January.
Benitez has previously indicated that Newcastle must evolve its transfer strategy this summer and develop a new mindset when it comes to negotiating with players and agents, meaning Ashley and Charnley must follow in accordance if they are serious about proving their ambition mirrors that of the United boss.
Completing the permanent signing of Kenedy could indicate to Benitez that Ashley and Charnley are finally on the same wavelength.
Requests to include an option-to-buy clause in his loan deal were rejected by Chelsea, with Kenedy’s eye-catching performances and an inflated market driving his price well above a mooted £15 million asking price and attracting potential suitors from around Europe.
Newcastle are desperate for players of Kenedy’s calibre and character if Benitez is fulfil his goal of incrementally transforming Newcastle back into a top-flight force – but they don’t come cheap and its time Ashley began to show faith in the manager he parachuted in to save the club two years ago.
So much hinges on Benitez staying at Newcastle beyond the expiration of his contract in 2019, and persuading Kenedy to commit to the Spaniard’s long-term project might be the gesture that reassures him that progress can be achieved in tandem with Ashley and Charnley.
