Kenedy

Robert Kenedy Nunes Nascimento (born 8 February 1996), commonly known as Kenedy, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger and occasional left back for Premier League club Chelsea.

He made his professional debut aged 17 for Fluminense, scoring five goals in 40 official games before a £6.3 million move to Chelsea in 2015. Kenedy has represented Brazil at under-17 and under-20 level.

Early career

Born in Santa Rita do Sapucaí, Minas Gerais, Kenedy is named after former United States Attorney General and Senator from New York, Robert Francis Kennedy. He began his career at local club Santarritense before moving to Friburguense in Rio de Janeiro state at the age of 11, going on to Vasco da Gama and Atlético Mineiro before arriving at Fluminense.

Fluminense

He made his professional debut on 28 July 2013 in a 2–0 Série A defeat at Grêmio, replacing Wagner for the final nine minutes. On 24 May 2014, he scored his first professional goal, the only one in an away win over Esporte Clube Bahia. He netted his second goal for the club in September, a late equaliser against Cruzeiro.

In March 2015, Kenedy scored in three home victories for Flu in the year's Campeonato Carioca. On 18 April, in the tournament's semi-final, he missed their first attempt as they lost 9–8 in a penalty shootout to Botafogo.

Chelsea

2015–16 season

On 26 June 2015, Fluminense announced that Kenedy had been sold to an unnamed club for a fee around the region of £6.3 million. It was later confirmed that Kenedy was on trial at Chelsea, where he played in a pre-season match against Barcelona, after Kenedy was given permission from Fluminense to play in the game as he had not yet been formally signed. Afterwards manager José Mourinho stated that Chelsea could secure Kenedy a work permit to play in the Premier League rather than loan him to Vitesse Arnhem. On 22 August 2015, Chelsea completed the transfer.

A week later, Kenedy made his debut against Crystal Palace, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for César Azpilicueta in a 2–1 home defeat. He scored his first goal for the club on 23 September in the third round of the League Cup at Walsall, also assisting compatriot Ramires in the 4–1 victory; his first league goal was the following 1 March, a 39th-second effort in a 2–1 win at Norwich City that was the fastest goal of the season.

Loan to Watford

On 30 August 2016, Kenedy joined Watford on a season-long loan after having a bid accepted from Chelsea. On 26 September, he made his only appearance for the Hornets in a 2–0 away defeat against Burnley, replacing Roberto Pereyra with 15 minutes remaining. After struggling with injuries, manager Walter Mazzarri, confirmed that Kenedy had returned to Chelsea on 12 December after a disappointing loan spell.

2016–17 season

After being recalled by Chelsea from his loan spell with Watford, Kenedy made his return for the Blues in their 4–0 home victory over Brentford in their FA Cup fourth round tie. Retaining his number 16 jersey, Kenedy replaced César Azpilicueta with just under twenty minutes remaining.

Kenedy scored six goals in eight games for Brazil under-17 as they came third at the 2013 South American Championship in Argentina.

Kenedy originally named as part of the Brazil under-20 squad for the 2015 World Cup in New Zealand, but missed the tournament with appendicitis, being replaced by Malcom as the team ended as runners-up.