Jonjoe Kenny is looking to follow in the footsteps of Mason Holgate to build his Everton first-team career.
Jonjoe Kenny, who spent last season on loan at Schalke 04, is part of the first team squad and looks to match Mason Holgate’s performance from last season.
Mason Holgate was on the fringes of the squad after spending a season on loan at West Brom. However, as the season progressed the 23-year-old began to emerge as a first-choice central defender.
Kenny sees himself in the same situation. As he told Everton’s official website:
"Mason was in and out of the first team, similar to me, when I was playing.He went out and performed, then came back and stuck at it.Thats what we all want."
Jonjoe Kenny certainly did perform in the Bundesliga, playing 34 times for David Wagner’s club. And the boyhood Evertonian was quick to praise Wagner, telling Bundesliga.com,
"It’s massive that I have a coach who’s been fantastic, brilliant for me. He gave me confidence from day one to go out and perform,” he said. When I came here, the coach knew me, I knew him. He knew my qualities, I knew his. If I’m not performing, you don’t play, that’s down to you."
Kenny is still behind club captain Seamus Coleman at right back for Everton, but the decision not to buy Djibril Sidibe after the end of his loan period opened a door for the 23 year old, who was looking forward to playing for Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Jonjoe Kenny told:
"You can’t forget what he has done in his career and what he’s won.He has been there and done it. It has been brilliant for me to come in and learn a lot more."
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Jonjoe Kenny said he has enjoyed working with Ancelotti and added he is working hard and wants to play to the best of his abilities.
He started the preseason match against Blackpool and while nobody in Royal Blue impressed during the first 15 minutes when Blackpool stormed to a 3-0 advantage. Kenny, like the rest of the squad did settle as the half progressed.
Seamus Coleman will turn 32 in October, so he’s not at the end of the road, yet. But, he may need to be rested more, especially if the Toffees get involved in a cup run or two.
Jonjoe Kenny may yet be moved on, but if he shows improvement during the preseason he could well find himself in the first-team reckoning.
What do you think, can Jonjoe Kenny follow in Mason Holgate’s footsteps and establish himself in Everton’s first team?