Swarms of Everton fans have been urging the club to bring Jonjoe Kenny back to Goodison Park this summer to replace AS Monaco loanee Djibril Sidibe.
Fans have been left hoping for a change at right-back next season after witnessing a disastrous display from Sidibe at Arsenal, with the Frenchman exposed throughout Sunday’s Premier League encounter.
The 2018 World Cup winner did produce a top block to deny Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the early stages, but the Gunners striker was later able to easily run in behind Sidibe to give the hosts the lead.
Sidibe also spent more of the match in Arsenal’s defensive third than our own, with his heat map from the weekend’s action showing a majority of his 69 touches taken in an advanced position where he would fail to complete any of his three attempted crosses, per Sofa Score.
The 27-year-old also failed to beat his marker with his only attempted dribble, saw his sole shot blocked, lost possession 11 times and misplaced five of his 36 passes, though did win six of ten ground duels, two of three aerial duels, make five tackles and three interceptions.
Our loan agreement with Monaco for Sidibe features a €14million (£11.7m) option to buy in the summer, but plenty of supporters would be firmly against Director of Football Marcel Brands triggering the clause.
Instead, they hope to see boss Carlo Ancelotti inform Brands that he wants Kenny back on Merseyside when his season-long loan deal with FC Schalke 04 expires.
Who would you prefer at RB next season?
Kenny
Sidibe
Neither
Kenny has been a mainstay of David Wagner’s plans at the Veltins Arena since moving to the Bundesliga last summer, with the 22-year-old starting all 21 of his German top-flight appearances and two DFB Pokal ties.
He has not been involved in the scoring at all since the fifth week of the Bundesliga season, though, having recorded his second assist of the campaign in a 2-1 win over 1.FSV Mainz 05 after assisting a goal against SC Paderborn the week before and scoring on matchday three against Hertha BSC.
Schalke are keen to retain the former England U21 international beyond his temporary deal and intend to hold talks with Everton, who allegedly value Kenny at just under €12m (£10m).
Here are some of the messages shared as fans called for Kenny’s return and Sidibe’s farewell after Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Arsenal…
And yeah, would defo have Kenny back over Sidibé.
— Samuel Robinson (@SamuelERobinson) February 23, 2020
Bring back jonjoe Kenny – all is forgiven- and he’ll be free to bring back instead of wasting money on Sidibe #arseve
— Idler’s Dream (@pmlefc) February 23, 2020
Sidibe back to Monaco, give Kenny a proper go
— Phil (@NOTGungaChief) February 23, 2020
Actually the game was good. Can we call up kenny back instead sidibe?
— Aditya C (@adtycx) February 23, 2020
Also: Kenny > Sidibe
£12m is still too much to spend on a right back who doesn’t know positioning— Henry (@futcher_henry05) February 23, 2020
Can we send Sidibe to Schalke and bring Kenny back? #EFC
— Liam (@James47Liam) February 23, 2020
Sums it up by us bossing the later of the game and not taking our chances. Need a partner for Gomes in the summer. We gotta take chances like DCL’s 1v1 with the GK. Sigi, Delph and Schneiderlin all to go in the summer. Kenny back at RB for me as Sidibe is just too sketchy for me.
— Gavin Morgan (@gavmorgan82) February 23, 2020
Kenny back please, Sidibe not even worth the giveaway price of £12.8m with defending like today.
— Mark Wilson (@efcmark777) February 23, 2020
I’d rather work with Kenny tbh. He’s younger and I’m praying he works out like the other young lads. He knows his position better than sidibe imo
— Dan (@PicknMixford) February 23, 2020
Give me Jon Joe Kenny over Sidibe and Coleman anyday #EFC
— David Leatham (@davidleatham) February 23, 2020
Wouldn’t sell kenny but defo swerve sidibe the fella is clueless
— Owen (@_owen1878) February 23, 2020
In other Everton news, club scouts were allegedly impressed by a £30m striker and a £25m midfielder when watched on Sunday.