Kenedy played his final match for Newcastle United against Tottenham

Kenedy played his final match for Newcastle United on Wednesday, but the Magpies hope to land the Brazilian on a permanent deal this summer.

Newcastle traveled to London on Wednesday to take on Tottenham at Wembley Stadium, a match which ended 1-0 for Spurs. The minimal loss to Tottenham also marked Kenedy’s final appearance for Newcastle during the 2017/18 campaign.

Kenedy’s future remains unclear and is dependent on the offers Chelsea will entertain for the Brazilian’s services. The primary objective for Rafa Benitez at the very start of the summer is to bring Kenedy back on a permanent contract.

Any news surrounding Kenedy will attract attention this summer, but for now let us look back at his performances for Newcastle. Simply put, Kenedy was undoubtedly a top player for the Magpies since arriving on Tyneside in January.

Kenedy at Newcastle

His arrival was announced in the final week of January and the young winger made his debut against Burnley on January 31. In total, Kenedy has made 13 appearances for Newcastle, and has scored twice while also claiming two assists.

The Brazilian has had a mix of stellar and average performances during his loan stint on Tyneside. His consistency on the pitch made him a reliable winger for Benitez, and his quality incited internal competition for playing time in midfield.

The 22-year-old was best utilized by Benitez as a midfielder on the wing. Kenedy was one of the fastest players on the pitch for the Magpies and his pace caused problems for defenders. Moreover, Kenedy’s ability to dribble past defenders enabled him to cut into the penalty area in every match to take a clear shot or set up a team-mate.

Best Performance: Newcastle 3-0 Southampton

Kenedy has shown flashes of brilliant play and technique in almost every match, but his performance against Southampton is the most memorable. From the opening whistle, Kenedy showcased his true potential as a rising star in the Premier League.

It only took Kenedy two minutes to score a fantastic goal, and the Brazilian found the back of the net once more on a counter-attack. Kenedy was the clear Man of the Match, and his precise shooting served as a major boost of confidence for the following matches.

Summer 2018

With Chelsea being Newcastle’s final opponent, Kenedy is not allowed to suit up and play against his parent club. His future remains unclear as Chelsea will either decide to keep the winger or entertain several offers. If Chelsea decide to let Kenedy leave, Newcastle will have the advantage for giving Kenedy an opportunity to perform for four months.

However, the biggest factor in landing Kenedy on a permanent deal is his price tag. Some major European clubs will be ready to spend big on Kenedy and even exceed the asking price. Unfortunately, Newcastle’s transfer budget is significantly limited and this could lead to the Magpies missing out on Kenedy.

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Overall, Kenedy was a fascinating player who took Newcastle by storm in just 13 matches. Kenedy is young and has room for growth, but he has the talent to establish a respectable career in an elite league. It will be important for Newcastle to negotiate with Chelsea as soon as possible to bring Kenedy in on a permanent deal this summer.