OPINION
Rafa Benitez must axe Newcastle United attacker Kenedy from his first-team as the Brazilian clearly is in need of a harsh wake-up call after his horror show against Southampton.
The 22-year-old winger bordered on invisible during the 0-0 draw with the Saints on Saturday and when he was on the ball he did tend to waste every opportunity he had to make a positive impact.
Kenedy seems terrified to use his right foot, even though he eventually reluctantly had a shot with it during Saturday’s game, and tends to shy away in games where he could take them by storm.
The Brazilian looked amazing at times when faced against playing a high profile team like Manchester United, but during the games that were perhaps more winnable on paper for the Magpies since, Brighton and the Saints, Kenedy hasn’t looked motivated.
Whether Kenedy is confident that even if the Magpies get relegated this season then he’ll simply return to his parent club Chelsea, so he can rest of his laurels is arguable.
However the winger really needs a harsh wake-up call, as if he continues to struggle for the Magpies not only will he not get even a sniff of a chance for the Blues upon returning, he won’t have clubs queuing up to rescue him from Stamford Bridge.
Kenedy is clearly a talented player capable of firing the Magpies to success, as he dazzled while on loan in the second half of last season, but his attitude just seems all wrong.
When things weren’t going his way against the Saints on Saturday that should have inspired him to try harder and raise his game, but instead it seem to send him crawling back into his shell.
It can be argued that being axed by Benitez for the upcoming clash with Watford may not effect Kenedy if his attitude has turned sour, but the Spanish manager has to at least try to jolt the once useful player back to life.
