Brazilian winger Kenedy made his first Chelsea appearance in more than three years as he started in the club's FA Cup tie with Luton. A one-time Newcastle United favourite, Kenedy has spent the last few years out on loan at various different clubs but has been recalled due to the current full-back injury crisis at Chelsea.
His reintroduction to the Chelsea squad caught a lot of fans by surprise including Newcastle United fans who took to social media to mark the occasion with witty tweets and GIFS. It comes at a time when one of United's inform players, Joe Willock, had worried some that he may be 'another Kenedy.'
This was in reference to Willock's poor start to his permanent move to the club following a hugely successful initial loan spell on Tyneside. While Kenedy never secured a permanent deal there was certainly a desire from some at the club to complete such a move after a more than decent loan spell.
That was back in the 2017-18 season with Kenedy arriving from Chelsea in the January of 2018 and instantly bringing a bit of flare and creativity to Rafa Benitez's side. It led to calls that Kenedy should be resigned on a permanent basis and anger from some that the United hierarchy at the time did not do so.
With Chelsea quoting a price of above £30m, United decided to bring him back on loan instead and it proved to be a shrewd move as Kenedy failed to match the impact of the previous season. He made 25 appearances but so poor was his second spell that those who had called for a transfer just months before were nowhere to be seen.
Fast-forward four years and Willock was the man struggling to match his initial form - and it was always likely to be the case given his eight goals in 14 games. The comparisons to Kenedy were nothing other than a one-time loan player who had initially impressed then running out as a half-season wonder.
The comparisons were harsh and didn't take into account Willock's fantastic attitude and the instant relationship he's struck up with fans, nor the fact he was moving from London full-time after spending his entire life there. There was also the fact the former ownership of United put unfair pressure on the young man with a statement at the end of the summer window explaining how they had torn up their transfer strategy to buy him and how that left them with no further money to spend.
The fears have now been proved unfounded with Willock seemingly now back to his best. The former Arsenal man has scored two in his last two and has looked like the midfielder United fans first saw in January 2021 as he shows the approach on the pitch that persuaded Newcastle to sign him for around £30m.
Willock maintains he had never lost confidence in himself despite his poor start to the season, claiming 'it just wasn't going my way.' United fans are now over the moon it is and in turn those who labelled him 'another Kenedy' have, for now, it seems been proven wrong.
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