BENITEZ: KENEDY STILL OUT OF TOON

CHELSEA winger Kenedy has been told to start proving himself at Newcastle.

Rafa Benitez admits the on-loan Brazilian has had a difficult start to the season at St James’ Park.

Kenedy, 22, has not hit top form after playing a huge part in helping Toon go from relegation candidates to 10th after January last season.

Boss Benitez says Kenedy (right) “wants to win the league” one day at Stamford Bridge. But before earning a shot with the Blues, he needs to find consistency on Tyneside.

Benitez will hand him the job of unpicking Arsenal tomorrow and said: “It is a crucial season for him. Obviously, he would like to go to Chelsea and win the league. Fine, but he has to do really well here, if he wants to go there and have a chance.

“They are a top side and it’s very demanding. He knows that.

“He will need some time (to get back to his best). His partner was having a baby and it was a difficult time in the summer. Hopefully, little by little, it will settle down and he can be the player we were expecting

“He has to be consistent. He was doing well for us for six months, now he has to prove he can play at this level for a while.

“I think he can do it – he wants to do well and he has to do well.”