Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has revealed that he has been an admirer of Kenedy since the Brazilian first moved to Stamford Bridge in 2015.
During his six-and-a-half-year stay with the Blues, Kenedy has only made 27 first-team appearances in all competitions, instead spending much of that period on loan elsewhere.
However, after a failed temporary stint at Flamengo, the versatile wideman is now in Tuchel's plans due to a long-term injury to Ben Chilwell.
While Tuchel stopped short of saying when Kenedy would make an appearance in the team, he has acknowledged his admiration for the Brazilian.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Tuchel said: "I know him for many years. I followed him when he first signed for Chelsea, I followed him when he signed for Newcastle. He was very impressive in the early days of his career, very promising. He lost track a little bit. Maybe he could not fulfil his own dreams and the demands that other people had when they saw his potential.
"But this is life, and he gets a second and third chance. It isn't about the past, or what has or hasn't happened. He was good in pre-season, but he decided that he wanted to go back to Brazil to take the chance there, and now we had the situation with Ben. Kenny was possible and I am happy that he is here.
"It is his duty to get fit, and we have to bring him to match fitness. He needs some minutes, however that works out, but he needs to deserve it. He is now part of the group, he is a very nice guy and is very talented."
Kenedy may be considered for a spot on the substitutes' bench when Chelsea face Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday afternoon.
Darren Plant
