Kenedy

[lucio 5,418]

Hope he stays and plays. He would eat into traores minutes , but its tough. Whatever the outcome , cuad needs to leave

[Gilvorak 3,734]

I need to see more before jumping to conclusions. He worked extremely hard but he barely impressed in terms of technique. What I did love was his movement.

[jernej93 569]

Do you think that he is in first team plans if transfer and work permit goes through? It's strange that Mourinho started him yesterday alongside all the guys that will pretty much start whole season

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Loved his movement, speed, passing and left foot.

Haven't seen enough of his other attributes to judge him on but I was happy with his speed and willingness to get behind the defence. Fabregas will have a field day in creating chances with him on the right wing.

If he keeps working hard, and showing desire he has a big chance.

[Barbara 15,149]

Anyway, leaving contrasting views on Kennedy's contractual situation aside, an encouraging performance from the lad vs Barca. As everyone is pointing out, great hustle, great power, good pace and that fabulous pass too. The question being asked before kick-off last night was why Kennedy had been selected ahead of others but I think we've seen the answer. Jose must absolutely love this bloke's attitude. (RLC please, please, please take note.)

Kennedy's technique is not great in my opinion. His third touch may not always be a tackle, but it often is and far too frequently it is made at a stretch. In that sense he reminds me, as I've said before, of Lukaku. Romelu struggled thinking he was better than in fact he is, but Kennedy looks like he might be more ready to understand, and accept, that he isn't Lionel Messi. If Kennedy takes that fully on board, doesn't waste possession trying to dribble like Hazard, and concentrates instead on his strengths, he could make a contribution.

If Kennedy is looking for a role model he could do worse than Gareth Bale. Similar attributes I think. Perhaps not at a similar level but of a similar type and with similar ways to make an impact.

You said everything I wanted to say.

I think he had a very solid debut and even surprised me with his willingness to track back (something he doesn't do in Brazil). There was a very dangerous attack by Barça early in the match and he was the player that took the ball away from the Barça player IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR BOX, just in front of Courtois. Literally seconds before he was in the right wing attacking. He tracked back, not only to make a number, but he effectively chased the players leaving the right flank and going to the center of the box.

That's the kind of attitude Mourinho is (rightfully) expecting from a youngster that receives a chance to play with the seniors, something RLC failed to do over and over and over.

I also agree about his technique, his bad choice making when it comes to dribble (yesterday he tried to pass by three players surrounding him, thinking he was Messi, but while here in Brazil he made it a few times a matches, yesterday he did it only once), many times he doesn't pass when he should and doesn't dribble when he should. It seems like his football brains haven't been there yet. But he's 19, it could change. I don't like much this kind of player because they tend to keep this brainless behavior throughout their whole career. I've seen few grow out of it and I hope that's the case for Kenedy as his attitude (more than his talent) impressed Mourinho a lot. He aced the attitude and maybe under Mourinho's wing he can grow in the right way. Huge maybe though.

[AndersonBLUE 819]

just a promising player at this point in time.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

People here are difficult to impress. He could have scored a hattrick and people would say his finishing didn't look crisp enough.

Entirely possible for players to score hatricks without it indicating that their finishing is crisp.

[iseah100 5,612]

Entirely possible for players to score hatricks without it indicating that their finishing is crisp.

Ever seen Chicarito and Demba Ba score goals?

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

Ever seen Chicarito and Demba Ba score goals?

You know the answer to that question but I don't see the point you're making.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

I think many here are jumping to way too many conclusions about what the player can and can't do... It was 45mins in a friendly, his first appearance for the club, I don't see how any jibes can be made about his technique or his footballing brain given the limited amount of time he's had on the pitch and most importantly working in our system.

If you ask me to see a 19 yr old come in and work his ass off for the squad when his best skills are scoring goals, thats impressive. Now he has to build on that, this is nothing more than a good debut.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx_pJOghL78

Could potentially solve our RW problem if he continues to have the right attitude and develop properly. Hoping to Christ we don't loan him and get rid of Cuadrado.

[mikeholiday 209]

Dude got some strength, some speed.

[Unionjack 7,531]

I agree with what most of us have said both the pros and cons and I totally understand (as much as my head will allow) the problems concerning his contract etc. And I read the comments Mou said about him.

What I dont understand is why Mou gave him playing time. He isn't one of our players (yet, whenever) so wouldn't it have been more beneficial for us to have given his time to a player that has a better chance of helping our 1st team this season? We are already looking at a thin squad with a lack of depth so its very nice for Mou to say "I think it was the best debut for a kid, to play against the best team. It was a great night for the kid and a great experience.” but how is that going to help our season?

[RhesusReus 219]

I agree with what most of us have said both the pros and cons and I totally understand (as much as my head will allow) the problems concerning his contract etc. And I read the comments Mou said about him.

What I dont understand is why Mou gave him playing time. He isn't one of our players (yet, whenever) so wouldn't it have been more beneficial for us to have given his time to a player that has a better chance of helping our 1st team this season? We are already looking at a thin squad with a lack of depth so its very nice for Mou to say "I think it was the best debut for a kid, to play against the best team. It was a great night for the kid and a great experience.” but how is that going to help our season?

how is playing Traore another 45 mins going to help us? he's already played and we saw what he offers and Jose likes him enough to keep him. The same goes for Moses. He's played in every game and has looked like he can contribute. who else do you have in mind out wide that can help us this season?

you have a very limited view.

Traore himself got his go when he wasn't contracted with us in summer of 2013 (he officially signed in January 2014), and that performance was enough for Jose to include him in his future plans.

Similar could happen to Kenedy. Seeing him play in the team, with nearly our strongest lineup, and him not looking out of place was great. he wasn't overwhelmed or nervous like RLC has been. He was hungry, aggressive, full of confidence. The most important traits to have in a youngster. he's going to a player.

[Barbara 15,149]

I think many here are jumping to way too many conclusions about what the player can and can't do... It was 45mins in a friendly, his first appearance for the club, I don't see how any jibes can be made about his technique or his footballing brain given the limited amount of time he's had on the pitch and most importantly working in our system.

If you ask me to see a 19 yr old come in and work his ass off for the squad when his best skills are scoring goals, thats impressive. Now he has to build on that, this is nothing more than a good debut.

Except I didn't draw any conclusions based on that, but watching a bunch of matches he actually featured for significant amounts of time.

And every time I stated my low expectations about him I also mentioned his age and how things could change. Some may need thousand matches to have am opinion about a player, I don't and still watched many. He's the kind of player that frustrates me and the poster child for this kind is Ramires. A lot of people like him (in Brazil) I don't. Legs can only take you so far. Missing passes, not choosing the best (and many times easiest) option, ruining attacks isn't attractive to me, but many overlook this because of stamina, pace and flashy moves. To each their own just wanted to clarify I don't jump to conclusions based on a pre-season match and that I'm aware he's young and a lot can change.

But he showed the right attitude the whole time he stayed in the pitch.