Chelsea: Tuchel says forgotten Blues star has a ‘huge opportunity’

The Blues have recalled Kenedy from his loan spell in Brazil to help bolster their ranks for the rest of the season.

Chelsea winger Kenedy has a ‘huge opportunity’ to make his mark in the team, according to manager Thomas Tuchel.

The Blues cut short Kenedy’s loan spell at Brazilian side Flamengo this week to help bolster their squad, having lost players due to the COVID-19 outbreak and a series of injuries.

With Ben Chilwell out injured for possibly the entire season, Kenedy will most likely help fill in as a left wing-back. Chelsea’s only other natural option for the role is Marcos Alonso. They tried to recall Emerson Palmieri from his loan spell at Lyon, but have been unsuccessful so far.

🗣 "We can't say that Kenedy is the solution."

Thomas Tuchel confirms Kenedy will be part of the first team after recalling him from his loan at Flamengo pic.twitter.com/tXbIpusdU1

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 14, 2022

‘It’s a huge opportunity for him’

“Kenedy is back and I am very happy about it. It’s a huge opportunity for him to make his mark at this club and this team,” said Tuchel in a press conference on Friday.

“We will try now, from today on, to push and support him.

“You cannot say that Kenedy is the solution, he can be a solution. But the situation has not changed, we have long-term injuries with wing-backs, we’ve suffered a lot in midfield with Covid and injuries.

“Now our midfielders are more or less coming back. We suffer a lot with our central defenders.”

Kenedy, who has admitted his return was unexpected, could make his first Premier League appearance since 2017 on Saturday as Chelsea visit league leaders Manchester City at the Etihad.