World News – AU – Jonjoe Kenny sets a record on Everton’s transfer decision

Jonjoe Kenny was on loan from Schalke last season to show that he was ready for more playing time at Everton

Jonjoe Kenny loaned Schalke to prove a point – but he has to do everything all over again, now he’s back at Everton.

The 23-year-old right-back was on loan for the Bundesliga last season and « loved every moment » when he played 34 times in Germany.

So far, this injury, injury, and encounter with Seamus Coleman has limited him to just four appearances. In Coleman’s absence, he is expected to face Fulham today.

And it will be at Craven Cottage where he tries to convince Carlo Ancelotti to stay with him.

Prior to the pandemic, Schalke were interested in loaning Kenny out for a second season, but the Kirkdale defender said he hadn’t noticed a club’s interest this summer.

Kenny took the opportunity to spend the campaign in Europe to show himself and others that he was ready for regular first-team football and returned to Goodison with Coleman as Ancelotti’s first choice.

Everton had been willing to listen to offers for the academic that summer – and it was no secret they were talking about the possibility of signing Santiago Arias or Diogo Dalot if Kenny was sold – but Youth Blue made it clear that he wanted to fight for his place.

« No, it was exactly the choice he made, it was what he wanted to do for the game, which was perfect for the game, » says Kenny.

« Me and Seamus get along very, very well on and off the field. It’s a great relationship we have, even though we’ve fought for the same place, it doesn’t come between us.

« He’s really helped me when I’ve played and hopefully the other way around when he does. « . We have conversations, we talk to each other about how the game is going. In this department, it’s just the one who plays, plays, and the relationship has been great. « 

Southampton and West Ham have been suspected of showing interest in Kenny during the transfer window, but the former English youth youth insists he has not been given specific information.

« I enjoyed the loan from Schalke and came back here. I wanted to lower my head and work as hard as possible to try to be my best. « . « 

After loans at Wigan and Oxford and a couple of seasons in and out of the first-team at Everton, the full-back wanted the platform to show he was ready to play every week.

« That’s exactly why I went out there to prove to everyone, including myself, that I could do it, » he said.

« I loved every moment that I was out there and was a main part of the team, playing week after week and having the buzz of being a main part of the team.

« I always want that feeling, so I just have to keep doing what I can and control what I can control and that means just taking care of myself and making sure I give the best Jonjoe Kenny that I can every day I can. « . « 

Today Kenny not only meets former teammate Ademola Lookman at Craven Cottage, but also his good friend Antonee Robinson.

As the third member in the queue for left-backs at Everton, the academy product took the chance to join championship team Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2019, signing after missing a move to AC Milan in January for Fulham in late August.

Kenny and Robinson were part of a talented generation of players who went through the blues system and won U18 and U-23 championship titles.

Tom Davies remains part of Everton’s first team line-up with Kenny, but a few others, including Robinson, have left the club to start their careers.

« I’ve been with Jedi since 10 or 11 [Robinson’s nickname]. We went through all the teams together, the youth teams and then the reserves and we are together for a long time.

« It’s great to see how good he has become. It was in January when he just missed the move to AC Milan. I watched him when he was at Wigan and his athleticism, he went up and down and he fully deserved his move back to the Premier League. « 

« Joe (Williams) and Walshy (Liam Walsh) are playing in Bristol, and you can go on and on. The boys play football in the leagues and it’s great for the club. . . Okay, they didn’t quite make it here, but they went out and made a living elsewhere and they’re really fine.

« It’s good to see all the guys play because they deserve it, considering how good they are. Stay in there and don’t be afraid of going out and playing and getting back to the leagues at some point. « 

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Still, Kenny hopes to be one of the players who won’t have to leave the club permanently – against Fulham from today.

The defender spoke to Ancelotti for the first time when the players returned to pre-season training in August but said his conversations need to be conducted on the field.

« Of course I was excited. It’s Carlo Ancelotti – what he won in the game, who he did, « he said.

« Everyone was excited, not just the Everton fans, that the Premier League got him back. He’s someone I can learn from about what he’s done in the game and I was looking forward to going back in and doing that.

« It was really exciting to see that he was manager of Everton, not just as a player but also as a fan, that Everton had a manager of Carlo Ancelotti’s status.

He finished, « I was talking to him when I got back and I just wanted to show him what I can do and take my chance if I get one. « 

Everton FC, Carlo Ancelotti, Premier League, James Rodríguez