Chris Waddle tore into Newcastle United winger Kenedy after witnessing the player’s cameo appearance against Wolves on Sunday.
The BBC pundit shared that he was baffled by what the 22-year-old did during the build to Matt Doherty’s goal in the 94th minute for Wolves as he pointed out that Kenedy didn’t track his runner.
“What are the players thinking of with a minute on the clock?” questioned Waddle on BBC One’s Match of the Day 2 (Sunday, December 9, 23:40).
“Kenedy runs forward loses the ball, out of position, he’s let the guy run off him and that was a great ball by Costa but I just look at Kenedy and think you’ve come on as a substitute, come on to do a certain job, but why? What have you done?
“And he doesn’t track his runner.”
Alex Scott then added that she thought she noticed Benitez shouting at Kenedy moments before Wolves scored to make it 2-1 before the final whistle.
“Just before this, Rafa is shouting at Kenedy for giving the ball away and then this happens,” said the pundit.
“As you’ve said he has just come on the pitch, you need that desire as a player to make sure your tracking back everything that you can, then 90th minute to make sure you come away with something.”
OPINION
When you consider that Kenedy entered the game in the 89th minute, it says a lot that he managed to end up with Waddle slamming him for his display. Yet the winger who clearly was meant to be marking Helder Costa didn’t get back in time and appeared to be jogging instead of going all out to deny the Wolves player putting in the cross. This cross ended up costing Newcastle United as it was able to be turned home by Doherty and Kenedy should hang his head in shame as a result. The 22-year-old should have been full of energy after just entering the game but he showed a lack of legs and no desire to do some extra running. Given that Scott pointed out she noticed Benitez shouting at Kenedy prior to Wolves scoring, you feel the Brazilian is likely not to start the Magpies’ next game or at the very least is in for the hairdryer treatment for the next few days.
