Celtic 2021 loanee Jonjoe Kenny hasn’t had the best of times since returning to Everton for a fresh start under Rafa Benitez.
Kenny came up to Glasgow for the second half of last season in what proved to be a turbulent period for the club. Brought to the club by Neil Lennon, Kenny struggled to meet the performance levels demanded by a support craving a turnaround in a title-race that was never going to go our way.
The Englishman managed to make 16 appearances for the club at right-back [Transfermarkt]. However, in the latter half of those in particular, his performance levels waned with many having seen enough of him long before his final outing against Hibernian in May.
Kenny returned to Goodison Park with the place under new management in Benitez. Despite being into the final year of his contract, he was given opportunities to impress in pre-season in particular.
Celtic fans were left gobsmacked after he netted a Panenka in a friendly against Millonarios in the Florida Cup. But the truth is that’s been as good as it’s gotten for the defender.
Benitez has refused to put any sort of faith in him for competitive action. Kenny has only played 10 minutes of EPL action in 11 games this season. That came in a cameo against Aston Villa. Whilst he has made all 11 matchday squads, he’s been constantly rooted to the bench.
Jonjoe Kenny not being given an opportunity under Rafa Benitez at Everton
He did play against lower league opposition in the Carabao Cup 2nd and 3rd rounds respectively. However, they would be knocked out by QPR in the latter with Kenny barely being given a minute outside of that competition.
The Liverpool Echo reported only days ago that he wasn’t favoured whatsoever by Benitez. They claimed that Kenny could be out of Merseyside as soon as next month with Everton keen to free up some wages.
The truth is that Kenny simply isn’t of the quality needed to operate at EPL level. We saw that at Celtic over a 5-month period in which the right-back was given consistent game-time. It’s not as if he just needs minutes on the pitch.
With his contract up in the summer, Kenny needs a fresh start at a lower level. At 24, he still has plenty of room for both improvement and development. He’s nowhere near the finished article, but he simply needs regular first-team exposure at a lower level.
There doesn’t appear to be a list of clubs exactly queuing up for the defender’s signature either, unfortunately. That probably says a lot about where his game is at right now.
But things certainly haven’t been rosy for him since leaving Parkhead in the summer. Still trying to find his level, Kenny clearly won’t make it under Benitez.
In other news, Kris Commons pushes Celtic title hopes after powerful blow
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