WHO IS KENEDY? With Brazilian midfielder Nathan set to join Chelsea, the Blues are also reportedly closing in on signing compatriot Kenedy from Fluminense - BUT WHO IS HE? Name: Robert Kenedy Nunes do Nascimiento
Age: 19
Position: Attacking midfielder/forward
Club: Fluminense
Nation: Brazil (Seven caps at U20 level, one goal) What’s the story? Kenedy turned 19 in February, and the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have reportedly been keeping close tabs on him, with several newspapers this week claiming Jose Mourinho is leading the race for his signature.
Although he has only just established himself in the squad, Fluminense are said to want at least £5m for their burgeoning talent.
In 2013, Kenedy made no secret of his desire to leave Brazil, and opened the door to a move to Stamford Bridge one day, owing to the club's roster of Brazilian talent.
"Of course, I am happy to play for Fluminense but it is my ambition to one day play in Europe," he said. "I like Chelsea because of players like Oscar and Ramires. I like the whole team."
What's his experience? Kenedy was spotted by Fluminense scouts at a young age, and worked his way through the youth ranks at a club which has also developed talent such as Brazil captain Thiago Silva and Rafael and Fabio Da Silva.
He starred for the Brazil U17 side at the 2013 South America Championships, scoring six goals to finish as his country's top scorer in the tournament. His performances prompted promotion to the first-team set-up at Fluminense, with youth director Marcelo Teixeria singing his praises.
"He has always performed well for our youth teams and his progress has allowed us to put our faith in him," he said in 2013.
In last year's Serie A, Kenedy made 20 appearances, 18 of them as a substitute, scoring two goals. But in this year's competition the 19-year-old started the first game of the season alongside Brazil striker Fred and looks like he could be set for a bigger role. What's his style?At 16, Kenedy often played on the flanks and drew comparisons with the likes of Neymar. With quick pace, the left-footer is often deployed on the right flank with a view to terrorising full-backs and cutting inside.
Now he is a bit older, he has also been compared with Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk
thanks to his impressive strength, but his pace is his key attribute, although he has been described as "one-footed" in the past, meaning his desire to cut inside will be closely guarded. The likes of Ramires and Willian are known for their hard work at Chelsea, tracking back constantly and adding extra numbers in defence - something Mourinho felt Juan Mata didn’t do enough at Stamford Bridge - and Kenedy's defensive work will undoubtedly need improving if he is to flourish in the Premier League.
Would he fit straight in? Chelsea's Brazilian contingent would offer Kenedy an easy transition and help him settle in at Stamford Bridge, but there are a couple of reasons he’s unlikely to feature straight away should the Blues make a move.
The current rules on work permits mean the 19-year-old would not be allowed to play in the Premier League, so he would have to go out on loan next season. The Blues have a partnership with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem so that could be a likely destination, while they are also reportedly in talks over a similar agreement with Royal Mouscron-Peruwelz in Belgium, where Mourinho could send non-European players to develop.
If Kenedy does move to Chelsea, it looks like it will be at least a year or two before he is likely to feature in Mourinho’s plans for the first team.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/21476/9847277/chelsea-reportedly-want-fluminense-starlet-kenedy-but-who-is-he
[ 此帖被羅力亞在2015-06-29 00:08重新編輯 ]
