Some Everton fans have been showing clear split opinions on social media after FC Schalke 04 lauded Jonjoe Kenny for his ‘vital’ block against 1.FSV Mainz 05.
Kenny joined Schalke on a one-season loan deal last summer and has proven to be a pivotal piece of manager David Wagner’s plans at the Veltins Arena, with 20 starts in 20 Bundesliga outings to date.
The 22-year-old missed his first German top-flight game of the term through a fever in January and sat out Die Konigsblauen’s following clash with SC Paderborn 07 with a torn ankle ligament. The issue was not serious, though, allowing Kenny to return at the weekend away to Mainz.
The official English-speaking Schalke Twitter account has now sought to laud Kenny for his impact in Sunday’s goalless draw at the Opel Arena, having intervened well to prevent the host’s from opening the scoring.
Mainz looked to play straight through the core of Schalke’s defence searching for a breakthrough, but Kenny read the play well to move in from his right-wing-back position and block Robin Quaison’s shot.
Some Everton fans have been split over whether this was a good piece of awareness from Kenny, or whether it was worrying to see him move out of his tasked full-back role.
What to do with Kenny in the summer...
Keep
Sell
Kenny is rather in-demand heading into the summer transfer window, with Schalke keen to retain the Liverpool-born defender beyond the end of his loan deal.
Head of Sports Jochen Schneider insisted in a recent interview with WAZ that he will sit down with Toffees chiefs to discuss the potential of a permanent deal, while Der Westen understand Everton would consider selling him for just under €12million (£10m).
Schalke could face rival interest, however, as Der Westen add that unnamed English sides are also considering the former England U21 international.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Schalke’s post lauding Kenny’s block at Mainz…
I think hes read the game really well there
— Ryan ‘Chang’ Smith (@Chang_EFC) February 19, 2020
watched that game, and seen several others, I think we will sell him if an offer came in while being adequate not progressed as I hoped
— owencocoefc (@owencocoefc) February 19, 2020
Got back and covered the centre half though
— Richard Traynor (@Richard_T_efc) February 19, 2020
Deffo needs to be closer to cb and aware of any runs the attacker near him might make but he makes up for it anyway, nothin wrong with that
— Tom (@tr_efc) February 19, 2020
I’ve watched him all season he’s been terrific, I wouldn’t come back if I was him for reasons above….Constant criticism from fans with sheer lack of knowledge!
— Lee (@LeeGray3) February 20, 2020
Well he plays wing back and looks like they got countered really quickly. Good recovery nevertheless
— Mario B 🇭🇷 (@ToffeeLAD_) February 19, 2020
Everyone moaning about his positioning wanna spend actual money on sidibe 🤷🏻♂️
— huytontoffee (@Huytontoffee) February 19, 2020
Ends up tracking his runner and puts a block on. More positives then negatives but I guess he’s a young Everton player so let’s hammer him.
— Dave Shaw (@shawyefc79) February 19, 2020
In other Everton news, the club are unlikely to target a 9-cap ace in the summer, despite Carlo Ancelotti’s eagerness for a deal in January.
People slating that, don’t know a lot about football… “way out of position” are you having a laugh… Football is a dynamic game with 11 players helping each other to get a win. Get a brain for gawds sake.. That was an excellent block, to cover for the CB who got toasted…