Jose Mourinho has revealed summer signing Kenedy forced his way into Chelsea’s first-team plans with his stunning debut against Barcelona in Washington.
The 19-year-old trained with the Premier League champions on their tour of the United States and sufficiently impressed the Blues to fork out £6.7million for his services.
Kenedy, full name Robert Kenedy Nunes do Nascimento, has won seven caps at under-20 level for his country looked all set to become Chelsea’s 34th loan ranger this season.
But he played his way into Mourinho’s thinking with 45 minutes of confidence and maturity against the Champions League holders during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
The Chelsea manager had only given the Stamford Bridge faithful glimpses of the midfielder prior to Wednesday evening’s Capital One Cup triumph at Walsall.
However, this week saw Kenedy announce himself in England with a goal and an assist against the League One side before being taken off with a calf problem.
Chelsea's victory over Walsall in pictures:
Mourinho confirmed on Friday that the youngster had shaken off the injury and he may caused the Special One to have another change of heart over his selection for Saturday’s clash at Newcastle.
“He had a good pre-season in the States,” Mourinho explained. “We played one game against Barcelona, it was a friendly but playing against good players in front of 75,000, it was a big atmosphere, to feel that he could cope with it gave u a good push.
“I always feel that for the evolution of the players it is best for them to stay here even if they don’t play as much as they would if they went to a smaller club. I always feel that with young players, that period with the Chelsea first team is very important so with him we chose for him to stay. He’s a good kid.”
Kenedy is naturally left-footed but tends to prefer operating on the right flank.
He has flown in under the radar this summer in a market flooded with huge transfer fees for players like Kevin De Bruyne and Anthony Martial at the two Manchester clubs.
Mourinho is pleased the Brazilian’s acquisition has been kept low key.
“He arrived a couple of months ago,” he explained. “It was perfect - quiet, calm, let him play when he plays. Catch the opportunities.
“Bertrand Traore had opportunities against Maccabi. Kenedy had the opportunity at Walsall. Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] had opportunities in both matches.
“This is the best way. Calm, let them play, let them learn. With Pedro, Hazard, Willian and Kenedy we have competition. We can rotate and we have options.”
Diego Costa serves the second match of his three-game suspension against the Magpies.
Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao are both vying for a place in the team but the latter is still working his way back to sharpness.
“He's not playing a lot,” Mourinho added. “Walsall was the first time he played 90 minutes. The other matches it has been 10 or 15 minutes.
“I'm happy but the reality is that the way the team plays with Diego, normally he's first choice. It makes it difficult for Radamel.”
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