Jonjoe Kenny: This may be secret to defender saving his Everton career – pundit
Frank Lampard has helped Jonjoe Kenny turnaround his faltering Everton career, according to Kevin Phillips.
The former Premier League striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested Lampard’s man-management skills are to thank for Kenny’s upturn in form.
Kenny, 24, starred as the Toffees beat Leeds United 3-0 on Saturday to ease their relegation fears.
The right-back, playing on the left of a back four, completed two tackles, three interceptions, two clearances and two key passes in the contest. [WhoScored]
A product of the Blues academy, Kenny’s time at Goodison Park looked to be nearing an end following successful loan spells at Schalke and Celtic.
Phillips believes the full-back has a future at Goodison Park if he’s nurtured in the right way.
“There is always a chance and an opportunity when a new manager comes in,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“Lampard will want to assess the squad himself and he will give people the opportunity to impress. Then it is down to the players. Can they take their opportunity?
“Kenny has been around for a few years now. He’s never really established himself but there’s no doubt that he’s got talent. He just need to be nurtured in the right way.
“I think Frank has gone in and put his arm around a lot of these players and when you do that, players respond. It looks like that is the case with Kenny.”
Kenny had started just once in the Premier League prior to Christmas.
He’s started four of Everton’s seven games this calendar year.
In other news, an ex-Fifa official has claimed an Everton star is ‘lucky’ to avoid a red card after footage emerges.