Brazilian youngster Kenedy training with Chelsea first team as club await work permit decision

Brazilian starlet Kenedy is still training with Chelsea as the club attempt to secure a work permit that will allow him to join the club.

Kenedy, 19, is still a Fluminense player but was given permission by the Brazilian club to join the Premier League champions on their pre-season tour of the United States.

The attacking midfielder was handed a starting role for the club against Barcelona in a friendly last week, an indication of just how highly Jose Mourinho and the Chelsea staff rate the youngster.

The battle to secure a permit to allow him to play in England has so far prevented the club from officially announcing his arrival and as a result, he has not been handed a first team squad number, which were released by the club on Saturday.

But ahead of Chelsea's Community Shield showdown with Arsenal on Sunday, Kenedy remained part of the first team training sessions at Cobham on Friday 31 July.

Securing a permit for Kenedy could prove difficult, however. FA rules, which were revised in May this year, state an applicant needs to have played in more than 75% of senior competitive matches for their country in the past two years to receive a permit. Kenedy's international football has so far been limited to appearances for Brazil's Under-17 and Under-20 sides.

But Mourinho has suggested the club are aware of conditions that will allow them to bring the player in. "We bought Kenedy because we believe in him. He's a very young kid that we believe a lot in, hopefully," Mourinho said, the Guardian reports.

"We have conditions to get him a work permit because we want him. We don't want him to go out on loan. I think we have what the rules demand to get him a permit."

Should Kenedy get a permit and complete his move to Stamford Bridge, he will become their fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of fellow Brazilian youngster Nathan, Danilo Pantic, Asmir Begovic and Radamel Falcao.