Rafa’s warning to Kenedy
MAGPIES BOSS WILL TELL BRAZILIAN TO MAINTAIN HIS FOCUS AND PUT NIGHTMARE IN WALES BEHIND HIM
RAFA Benitez will tell Kenedy he must maintain his focus and learn quickly from his nightmare afternoon at Cardiff City.
The on-loan Newcastle United winger failed to complete a pass during the first half of the 0-0 draw, and he should have been dismissed for kicking Victor Camarasa, before missing a penalty at the end of the game.
Kenedy is ineligible to play against parent-club Chelsea this weekend, but could miss a further three matches should the Football Association decide to take retrospective action for kick on Camarasa.
And Benitez has admitted he will tell Kenedy he must regain his composure in order to rediscover his form out on pitch.
“It will not be good [if he gets a ban] but it is important that he stays focused,” Benitez said of the 22-year-old.
“We know everything has changed since last season. We have a lot of players who are the same players as last season, and we need to make sure we start playing at the same level we played at before the end of last season.
“We have new additions, we have increased the competition, and what we need to make sure is that every player is focused and ready to give everything for the team. They have to keep pushing every game.”
If Kenedy is suspended, then he will miss the Carabao Cup second-round tie with Nottingham Forest and the visit to Premier League champions Manchester City – while he may also be absent from the game against Arsenal at St James’ Park.
Benitez is confident that the Brazilian is a quick learner.
“Yes, he listens to advice. This group of players, they are quite good in the training sessions,” Benitez added.