Former Newcastle winger Kenedy has opened up on the reasons why his second spell at the club did not go to plan, revealing how he was forced to move away from his young child and partner.
Kenedy initially signed on loan from Chelsea in the 2018 January transfer window – then also spent the 2018/19 season also on Tyneside under the management of Rafa Benitez.
Rafa obviously liked what he saw from Kenedy in the five months, which led to him extending his loan for another season – therefore it was surprise to fans and probably also Rafa how much Kenedy’s form dipped in the next season.
Kenedy told The Athletic some of the reasons why the second spell on Tyneside wasn’t as successful as the first:
“It was a difficult season, really tough.”
“My family stayed in London when I went up to Newcastle, and it was just different.
“I was used to being on my own because I left home as a teenager.
“But when you start a family, it becomes more difficult when you’re far away.”
This helps make sense of his struggles during his second stint on Tyneside, with him often looking lost, low in confidence and as if his mind was elsewhere.
The Brazilian was close to many of the Spanish speaking core of the group, including the likes of Ayoze Perez, Javier Manquillo, Federico Fernandez, Florian Lejuene and Salomon Rondon.
No surprise to many, Kenedy’s loan deal was not made permanent and now is on loan at La Liga side Granada – who are also in the quarter-finals of the Europa League where they take on Manchester United.
It’s a big shame from a fans perspective how much his form dipped from his first season under Rafa – which made many of Toon fans demand for the club to pay £20m to Chelsea to sign him. One thing the club may have got correct at the time, by not signing him permanently.
So now he is on loan in Spain even further away? Unless his family moved with him this time cause it’s nice, sunny Spain! Sorry, no sympathy from me, next!
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