Kenedy Completes Loan Move to Newcastle from Chelsea

Chelsea have confirmed young winger Kenedy will spend the rest of the season at Newcastle United after completing a loan move to Rafael Benitez's side on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old has made just five appearances in all competitions for the Blues this season but will be hoping to see more game time at Newcastle.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte explained why he is happy to see Kenedy move to the Magpies.

Per Goal, he said: "He needs to play regularly and to go to Newcastle is a great challenge for him. It is a great opportunity but he knows that he has to be ready to fight to play for Newcastle."

The Brazilian is a versatile player who is also capable of featuring at left-back and will be hoping to impress during his time at St James' Park. Newcastle are 15th in the Premier League table but just one point off the relegation zone.

Benitez said Kenedy's versatility was a reason why he wanted to bring him in, per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella:

Meanwhile, Kenedy is hopeful he can show what he is all about during his loan move, per Lee Ryder at the Chronicle:

Kenedy is a skilful, pacy player who also possesses a powerful shot and is not afraid to cut inside and go for goal. He is a strong and a confident dribbler who can also provide a bit of flair, as shown by Match of the Day:

The Brazilian moved to Chelsea from Brazilian side Fluminense in 2015 but has yet to make much of an impression with the Blues. He was loaned out to Watford last season, but that spell was cut short due to injury.

Kenedy will be hoping he can shine at Newcastle and impress Conte, although he will have to wait to make his debut for his new club.

Newcastle's next match is an FA Cup fourth-round clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which Kenedy is ineligible to play in, per Jim White at Sky Sports:

Kenedy's departure also suggests Chelsea are close in bringing in AS Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri.

Per Kinsella, the South American youngster was only allowed to leave if the Blues could bring in a replacement, with a £25 million deal for Palmieri seemingly close.