Transfer News: Flamengo confirm interest in Chelsea winger Robert Kenedy
Speaking in an interview with Papparazzo Rubro Negro on YouTube, via Sport Witness (h/t Football.london), Flamengo director, Bruno Spindel, confirmed that the club are in talks with Chelsea regarding a transfer for Robert Kenedy.
The Brazilian was picked up by Chelsea from Fluminense six years ago in 2015. But like many of the young talents at Stamford Bridge over the past decade, he was loaned out multiple times.
His temporary spells away from the Blues came at Watford, Newcastle United, Getafe, and most recently, Granada in Spain. But without breaking into the Blues starting XI at the age of 25, the club and the player would know that his future could lie away from Chelsea.
The Blues already have Marcos Alonso and Ben Chilwell, who play as left wing-backs in Thomas Tuchel’s set-up. Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and even Timo Werner are all well equipped to man the left-wing as well.
Kenedy off to Flamengo?
In light of that, Kenedy’s potential departure would not sting the 2021 UEFA Champions League winners. After all, the Brazilian has rarely ever had a string of starts for the club in the last six seasons.
He has just 13 starts for Chelsea in his whole career, a handful of them as left-back. He last appeared for them in the Premier League around 4 years ago against Watford in May 2017. (h/t Transfermarkt)
But it now seems like he has a lifeline in the form of a permanent transfer to his home country. However, their director believes any negotiation with the Blues may not be easy.
“Kenedy is a very interesting athlete. Flamengo are talking. It’s also very difficult. He’s from Chelsea, he’s an interesting player who’s had a great season.”
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According to The Metro, Kenedy still has three years left on his Chelsea deal. That puts the Blues in a relatively strong position in negotiations and they would hope to be fairly compensated if they are to sell the 25-year-old wide-man.