In an age of political correctness and public shaming, the premature sending home of Chelsea’s Kenedy from their Chinese summer tour last year seemed like it could have signalled the end of the Brazilian’s career at the top level before it even had time to set off.
In all fairness, his perceived racist and xenophobic jibes which sent Chelsea’s PR team into panic mode were misconstrued and poorly translated from Portuguese. Realising the overreaction, David Luiz even stepped in to explain the badly-received social media posts that appeared more like the work of a giddy youngster at one of the world’s biggest clubs - whisked off to countries those of his socioeconomic background trapped in Brazil’s working class communities could only dream of – as opposed to anything malicious.
Making just five appearances for the Blues this season, Kenedy’s shipping out on loan to Newcastle once fellow countryman Emerson Palmieri - who was born in the coastal city of Santos but represents Italy - had been bought from Roma in January was thought by many to be yet another backwards step for the Fluminense youth product.
Yet Kenedy has taken full advantage of the opportunity to get back on track, impressing on Tyneside with a string of strong performances over eight games for Rafa Benitez that have taken in two goals and two assists whilst helping the Toon secure Premier League football next season.
This form hasn’t got unnoticed by the rest of the footballing world either, with heavyweight European clubs including Bayern Munich and PSG stating their interest in the 22-year-old as have Arsenal; disappointed by the fading promise of Sead Kolasinac who has in turn been replaced by veteran Nacho Monreal and leaves the north Londoners with no other option than to seek reinforcements at the left back position.
Joining Chelsea in 2015 for a fee of around £6mn, it will be hoped that Kenedy does not join an ever-growing list of cast-off talent sold for a pittance before then excelling elsewhere - with the foremost examples no better personified by Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne.
