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We continue our player by player review of the past Everton season, in which each individual will be recapped and rated. Next up: Jonjoe kenny
Summary
After breaking into the side in difficult circumstances in 2017-18, this season was supposed to be the time for Jonjoe Kenny to kick on. Instead the youngster struggled to command a regular place in the side and his long-term future at the club now looks in doubt.
Performance
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Kenny’s defensive stats are actually marginally better than Seamus Coleman’s, though admittedly from far fewer appearances. He is also nowhere near as effective going forward as the Irishman which meant he was always seen as second choice.
Usage
Kenny was only really ever used as back-up to Coleman when he was injured and was routinely dispatched from the side after only a few starts. The 22-year-old’s best run in the side was a five matches in September and October. However, like fellow academy graduate Tom Davies, Kenny disappeared from the team after the 2-1 win at Leicester, only returning for the depressing 1-0 defeat to the same opposition on New Year’s Day as well as the Lincoln FA Cup game four days later.
He would make just three more starts before the end of the season, with Silva’s decision to play Kurt Zouma at right-back instead of Kenny for the final day trip to Tottenham particularly telling.
Future
Everton continue to be linked with right-backs this summer so it seems certain that Kenny will be pushed further down the pecking order. Silva has already revealed he is considering sending the Kirkdale-born defender out on loan. At this stage of his career Kenny needs to be playing football and while a long-term future at Goodison hasn’t been ruled out, is seems certain he needs at least a temporary move away to kick-start his senior career.
Grade: C
He didn’t do a lot wrong in the fleeting appearances he made in a blue shirt, but he didn’t make enough of a positive impact to earn a regular starting spot either.