Many Newcastle United supporters have been reacting on social media after Chelsea forward Kenedy completed a one-season loan deal to join Getafe.
The Brazilian spent the past 18 months on loan at St. James’ Park from Chelsea, where he scored three goals in 41 appearances (TransferMarkt) but fell out of favour under Rafael Benitez midway through the 2018/19 campaign, at which point he was mostly resigned to infrequent cameo appearances from the bench in the Premier League.
Newcastle held an option to purchase Kenedy in the summer for £30m, although Benitez confirmed in May that the forward had failed to live up to the expectations he placed on him following his initial six-month spell in the North East.
“I think it’s because he did so well in his first season, we were expecting, and myself, that he’d play at the same level,” the Spaniard told the Chronicle. “For different reasons, he did not play at the same level. He knows that.
“We had a lot of conversations about that. It is a pity because he has all the potential to be a very good player. Now he will go back to Chelsea and we will see what is going on with him. But it’ll be very difficult to talk about him, [as] they want £30m for him.”
New Chelsea boss Frank Lampard awarded the 23-year-old a regular place in his plans during pre-season this summer, but Kenedy was unable to force his way into the Blues’ league squad come the start of the campaign.
He has now secured a one-season deal with Getafe, who have now become his first overseas loan club and third temporary home following spells with Watford and Newcastle, which Chelsea confirmed on Monday.
Getafe are currently 17th in La Liga after the opening three matchdays, having drawn twice and lost once under Jose Bordalas after finishing last season in fifth and securing a place in this season’s Europa League group stage.
Kenedy’s potential debut for Getafe could be their away trip to Real Betis on September 15th following the international break.
Newcastle fans have been quick to share their reactions to news of Kenedy’s latest move, with some suggesting he has secured a step up in moving to a Europa League outfit, while others focused on his decline in Black and White.
Here’s a selection of the messages shared…
Tedious #NUFC link here but Kenedy to Getafe on loan 👀. Talk about a career free fall. pic.twitter.com/FUBsacQBX0
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) September 2, 2019
Step up from us…
— Andy Cunningham (@guilepork) September 2, 2019
Very strange form trajectory. Had an ace season with us, came back and had an excellent first game v Spurs then next game v Cardiff had one of the worst performers I’ve ever seen from an NUFC player, seemed to have lost all his confidence and never properly recovered,
— Matt Brown (@MattJB8818) September 2, 2019
Based on last year with us I’d say he’s done well tbh!
— Tommy (@therealgoodall) September 2, 2019
Tbf, I thought this was a decent move for him considering he nearly joined Reading last month!
— NUFCblog.co.uk (@NUFCblogcouk) September 2, 2019
Great move for him.
Hard to see him fulfilling his potential with his fragile mentality though.
He’ll always be a very up & down player seems to crumble mentally when in bad form.
— Rafa Facts (@FactsRafa) September 2, 2019
His first loan with us was unbelievable. I was so excited when we got him for the whole season after but he never continued that great form we first saw. It’s a real shame because he does have talent.
— beth (@bethmann99) September 2, 2019
Getafe’s hardly a ‘career free fall’, a team who finished fifth last season trying to add depth to their side for their europa league campaign this year. Honestly think it’s a positive move for both sides..
— ollie (@ollieg9_) September 2, 2019
