Michael Ball: Rafa Benitez will give Jonjoe Kenny confidence to thrive
Everton defender Jonjoe Kenny has been urged to provide cover and eventually take over the first-team duties from Seamus Coleman.
Former Toffees full-back Michael Ball believes Rafa Benitez’s arrival could spur Kenny on into a different player.
The Englishman has spent the last two campaigns out on loan and Celtic and Schalke, and could be given a chance to prove his worth under Benitez next season.
Speaking to Football FanCast, Ball said, “He’s going to have a good opportunity now.
“Maybe he comes back to pre-season fully fit and ready to go and Rafa might give him that confidence. ‘Yeah, you could be our next number two. You’ll take over from Seamus Coleman or be a great back-up for Seamus.’ ”
New right-back needed
Kenny has proven himself to be a decent squad player over the past few years, but we’ve seen very little of him over the last two seasons to say that he merits a first-team berth.
Ball may be right in his assessment about a Coleman replacement/understudy needed, but we don’t think that Kenny is best suited to take over.
Yes, he ticks all the boxes as a homegrown player and will be loved by the Goodison Park faithful, but if we are to reach that next level, we need a better calibre of player.
PSV Eindhoven’s Denzel Dumfries appears to be our primary transfer target this summer and we’re hoping that the deal goes over the line. Having an agent like Mino Raiola to deal with is always going to make a transaction complicated, but we believe that Marcel Brands can get the job done.
Kenny could be kept on as a backup as he’s capable of playing at centre-back too, but the idea of him being a first-team regular seems a tad far-fetched.
In other Everton news, ‘No brainer’, ‘Steal’ – Everton Super Fans thrilled by major transfer update
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