Rafa Benitez has revealed that Chelsea are yet to decide whether they will be keeping Kenedy at Stamford Bridge this summer – but has hinted that Newcastle may have to settle for another loan deal if we wish to bring him back.
The Brazilian has looked anything but out of place in Premier League since securing a loan move to St James’ Park in January, alerting the likes of Bayern Munich, PSG, Arsenal and Spurs according to Sky Sports.
Not only has his form increased the chances of him remaining at Chelsea, being a talented young player they may be reluctant to let go, but it’s most definitely raised his asking price if the Blues did decide to cash in on him this summer.
The Mail claimed that they’d be willing to let him go for a fee in excess of £20m last night, but, based on Rafa Benitez’s comments today, it sounds like another loan deal may be our most realistic option:
“It’s too early because Chelsea need to decide what they do in terms of a squad. When they decide what that is we will know.
“I am sure Kenedy is a player that they will consider.
“But they have so many good players they may see him as an option for the boy to go on loan for another year. Where could a good place for him be? Newcastle.
“And for sure that could be a good chance for him and us.”
He makes it quite clear here that a return to Newcastle could suit all parties, but this indicates that a loan deal may seem far more realistic than a big money permanent deal at this stage.
After all, have we actually seen enough of him to suggest we should be smashing our club transfer record to sign him? I’d say he’s worth it, but signing a proven striker will not come cheap this summer, so getting Kenedy back on loan (with an option to buy) may just be a smart move from a financial perspective.
Reflecting on his loan spell after playing his last game of the season at St James’ on Saturday, Benitez said the following:
“It was Kenedy’s last game at home – he has been doing well for us.
“He’s a player that is happy and has been able to give us the pieces of quality that we were looking for.”
All things considered, this won’t be an easy deal for us to get done this summer, but it’s a big test of Ashley’s ambitions.
Benitez is clearly keen to have him back, so granting his wish (if Chelsea are open to selling) could be a great start to another big summer on Tyneside.
Arseley doesn’t want to be ambitious, Olly, what are you taking about!
Rafa may well be keen to have Kenedy stay, but he is realistic enough to know NUFC can’t afford to buy his contract, so hopes for a situation that enables a renewed loan arrangement (perhaps one with a ‘buy’ clause). But even this is cloud cuckoo land stuff. Rafa is correct to point out the quality Chelsea have and the that they don’t really have a place in their match day squad for him, so crosses his fingers for a decision to loan him again, for the lads development. Reality is that several clubs want to purchase, and if they meet Chelsea’s rather exorbitant price, …well…
I do not think Kenedy is worth 20M at this stage of his career. He needs the right kind of ‘next step’ in order to continue his solid development. A club who stump of the sort of money to tempt Chelsea, will want a return on their investment, and Kenedy isn’t ready for that kind of pressure. It’s the sort of pressure that could stall some careers (refer to Armstrong going to Bolton) or it could destroy some players (refer to Andy Carroll going to Liverpool). The best interests of the player are, as Rafa correctly points out, also the best interests of NUFC. It all depends on whether Chelsea see it as being in their best interests, to continue the ‘solid’ development of a player while keeping him on their books – preparing himself now with Rafa, to be ready to play for them in another 3-4 years, when he really will be worth 20M+.
Peter(Quote)