FC Schalke are not known for making marquee signings, but flipping the script and securing Jonjoe Kenny long-term would be a victory in and of itself.
FC Schalke have the unfortunate spot in the food chain where they end up losing many of their star players before they can become true full-blown stars. They exist on a steady supply of venerable veterans and fresh young faces eager to prove themselves. And then there’s Jonjoe Kenny.
Acquired on loan from Everton, Kenny has been an asset to Die Knappen’s successes this season, and according to literally everyone, they would love for him to be a part of their successes moving forward as well.
The problem is… a loan is a loan. And without consent from both sides, that’s all it will ever be, a one-year honeymoon with a player that was never really yours. It’s a bit of a sad prospect, which is why I’ve never been a fan of loans without the potential for happy endings.
Jonjoe Kenny’s potential for a happy ending has not been all that optimistic. He has spoken up about how much he’s learned so much, and wants to continue to, but naturally, he won’t commit one way or the other what his future holds.
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Kenny may not be a full-blown superstar, but taking a young, highly-touted star from a Premier League club, who has significant Premier League experience and was raised in the Premier League, is a victory well worth celebrating.
FC Schalke did something similar, taking Rabbi Matondo from Manchester City, which was a brilliant capture, but Matondo was definitely still in prospect stage. He was looking for his next step, not necessarily that big step where he will spend his prime years (that’s a conversation for two years down the road).
Jonjoe Kenny’s prospectus is riding on where he wants to spend his prime years, as he is nearing them. It’s either a long-term deal with Schalke, which won’t come cheap, or it’s returning to Everton, where he’s spent the last 14 years of his life.
Again, it’s a big decision, and no one expects it to be easy. But just seeing how well he has gelled at FC Schalke, and how much everyone wants him to be here, there has to be a ton of effort put into convincing Kenny that he wants to leave his life-long club behind in favor of a long-term stay in the Bundesliga.