BOY TRIPS UP WITH THE WORLD AT HIS FEET
TATTOOS pack his arms and legs, while one running from his neck to his left ear depicts a skull with a crown. He resembles a street urchin, but one with a gift. When Chelsea signed Kenedy two years ago they knew they were getting a boy who could send a full back the wrong way, but who might go the wrong way himself. He is 21, but Chelsea are already his fifth club. A winger or full back, he left home at 11 to move to Rio state side Friburguense. He later played for Vasco da Gama, Atletico Mineiro and Fluminense as his reputation grew and six goals
in the Under 18 South American Championships put him on the radar of every European club. He was still a Fluminense player when he played for Chelsea as a ‘guest’ in a friendly against Barcelona in 2015 and signed for the London club soon after for £6.7million. On the training ground, players would gasp at his tricks, but could he put it together in the Premier League? Instead of playing him higher up the field, Chelsea tried to give him experience as a left back. Injuries have delayed his progress and his form was mixed on loan at Watford last season. Club officials hoped his marriage to Lohaine last summer would help him settle down. His Instagram account contains nothing to suggest he is a loose cannon. Instead, there are pictures with his pet dog, and shots of training with his team-mates and a seemingly happy life in London. Chelsea sources say he has been a shining light in training this summer and was showing the sort of form they had been waiting for. They will hope that continues once this storm blows over.