Who is Sheffield United target Jonjoe Kenny? | OneFootball

Amongst rumours about Sheffield United looking to sign centre-backs, defensive midfielders, and forwards. A right-back has emerged according to reports from Alan Nixon.

The Blades have been left with just Alfie Gilchrist and Jamie Shackleton at right-back following Seriki and Sachdev’s injuries. Additionally, Gilchrist is a more defensively minded right-back who could be needed at centre-back. While Shackleton hasn’t played for the Blades since 14 December.

So, signing a right-back with Premier League and Bundesliga experience could be a good option. But who is Jonjoe Kenny?

A young Toffee out on loan

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Born in Liverpool, Jonjoe, 27, joined Everton’s academy in 2006. He played for the youth teams until 2014 when he was offered a professional contract.

After signing professionally at Goodison Park, Kenny went on loan to Wigan Athletic on 21 July 2015. He played seven games for the Latics before an initial one-month loan to Oxford in January 2016.

He ended up spending the rest of the season at the Kassam Stadium making 20 appearances and getting one assist. Jonjoe was signed to play right-back at Oxford following the end of Blades Legend George Baldock’s loan with the U’s. Kenny and Oxford were promoted as runners-up in League Two.

During the season’s last game, Kenny made his Premier League debut back at Everton replacing Matthew Pennington on the 29th minute.

2017-2018 Breakthrough at Everton

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Kenny’s breakthrough season at Everton began under after Ronald Koeman’s sacking leading him to become a regular starter. He started 13 consecutive games under David Unsworth and Sam Allardyce mainly due to Seamus Coleman’s injury absence.

In total, Kenny made 25 appearances for his boyhood club including three in the Europa League.

His 2018-19 season was quieter picking up one assist and playing just 13 games. The lack of playing time saw him loaned to Schalke.

First time in Germany

Kenny joined Schalke 04 in June 2019 on a season-long loan. He played 31 Bundesliga games and made 3 appearances in the DFB Pokal. He scored two goals and got three assists in the league with his first goal coming in his third Bundesliga game against his current club, Hertha Berlin.

In his time at Schalke 04, Kenny earnt himself August’s Bundesliga Rookie of the Month award.

Return to Everton and Celtic Loan

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In 2020-2021, Kenny returned to Everton, where he made eight appearances, half of them coming in the Premier League.

In February 2021, Kenny was loaned to Celtic until the end of the SPL season. Kenny made 16 appearances for the Glaswegian giants getting four assists.

Despite these stats, Celtic fans, at least those on social media, seemingly don’t remember his loan spell well. After the club was linked with him again last December, one fan reportedly said: “Please tell me someone’s at the windup with these apparent links man.”

This may have something to do with Kenny scoring an own goal during the Old Firm Derby. On 18 April 2021, Kenny put the ball into his own net on the 34th minute to help Rangers to a 2-0 Scottish Cup win. Safe to say a player doing this in a Steel City Derby would equally not be invited back. So, perhaps, some of the negativity towards his Scottish loan is more down to tribal bias. Perhaps Celtics loss, will be Sheffield United’s gain just maybe play Gilchrist when we travel to Hillsborough.

Final Season at Everton

Kenny spent one last season with Everton in 2021-2022. He played 21 games and got three assists for the Toffees.

At the end of the season, Kenny was reportedly offered a new deal by the Merseyside club but he turned it down. Then 25, Kenny decided to return to the league where he had played the best football of his career. The Bundesliga.

Hertha Berlin

Kenny joined Hertha Berlin in 2022 with the side from the German capital still in the top flight. Unfortunately, it would be the only season that Kenny would play for them in the Bundesliga so far. With Die Alte Dame (The Old Lady) relegated bottom with his former side Schalke to 2. Bundesliga. During the relegation season Kenny played 30 times and got one assist.

He stuck with the club after their relegation, enjoying himself at the level scoring 3 goals and getting 5 assists in the league. He also contributed to them reaching the Quarter-final of the DFB Pokal bagging a goal and an assist in four cup matches. In total, he made 33 appearances in all competitions.

This season, Kenny has started brightly. He has made 20 appearances scoring once and getting five assists. This makes him the seventh highest assister in the 2. Bundesliga. He has also created 29 chances putting him in the top 20 chance creators in the division.

Defensively, this season, Kenny is in the top 20 for interceptions per 90 (1.6). He also has a successful tackles percentage of 64% and he has won 59.3% of both his duel and aerial duels.

Importantly, for the Blades, Kenny is currently only contracted, to the side sat 12th in the 2. Bundesliga, until the end of the season. This could mean a cheaper deal for the defender during this window.

International Career

It is worth noting that from the U17s to U21s, Jonjoe Kenny has made 39 appearances for England at youth level.

In his time with the Young Lions, Kenny won the U20s World Cup in 2017 with former Blade and Everton teammate, Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He also won the Toulon Tournament in 2018 with the U21s.

It is likely with all this success, that without the recent Golden Generation of England Right-Backs, Kenny may have even grabbed a senior national team appearance.

Takeaways

Whilst, it is important to acknowledge his previous loan spell at Celtic and the negative reception from some of their fans online. Plus, the need to strengthen other positions on the pitch during the short January Window.

Kenny could be a great addition to the Blades squad and an out-and-out right-back alternative to Alfie Gilchrist. Plus, compared to Gilchrist, Kenny’s move would be for a permanent right-back.

Another reason to sign the likes of Kenny is the experience he could add to a young Blades’ squad. Kenny has played in the Premier League, the Bundesliga, and even the Europa League, a wealth of experience for a player who could join us in the Championship.

If he’s available for the right price, we should be looking to sign him.