Chelsea have already lined up a few signings ahead of the summer transfer window as Xabi Alonso looks to bolster the squad.
Geovany Quenda has staked a claim for a place in the Chelsea squad next season. The 19-year-old winger, whom the Blues agreed to sign from Sporting Clube de Portugal in March 2025 for £40million, fired the Portugal Under-21s to a 4-0 friendly win over Northern Ireland at the Estadio António Coimbra da Mota on Wednesday night.
Gustavo Sa broke the deadlock inside the opening quarter of an hour before Quenda ran riot. Shortly before the break, the Chelsea wonderkid opened his account on the transition, exploiting the opposition high-line from the left-hand side before stroking the ball past Mason Munn.
Then, half an hour or so into the second half, Quenda doubled his tally, this time from the right-hand side. Cutting inside onto his left foot, the teenage sensation glided past two defenders before burying a ferocious strike in the bottom corner from outside the box.
A few moments later, Quenda was replaced by Tiago Parente, dropping the curtain on a brilliant performance that would have certainly caught Xabi Alonso’s eye. In the final minutes, Harry Lynch scored an own goal, putting the fourth and final nail in the visitors’ coffin.
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The Portugal Under-21s aren’t in action again until September, when they face Bulgaria in the qualifying stage of the UEFA European Under-21 Championships. In the meantime, Quenda, who was left out of Roberto Martinez’s squad for the World Cup this summer, can begin preparations for pre-season with his new club.
football.london understands that the youngster is determined to make a strong first impression on Alonso, who’s set to begin his role as Chelsea boss on July 1. Quenda has greatly admired the 44-year-old’s work as both a manager and a player.
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It’s understood that, while others are away serving their country in the United States, the Chelsea winger wants to capitalise on the chance to work closely with Alonso. The Blues are equally as optimistic and believe Quenda can hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge.
Although the teenager faces competition for minutes in the starting lineup, from the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto, it’s understood that he’s confident in his own abilities. Until Alonso takes charge of his first game, it remains unclear whether Chelsea will deploy a back-three or a back-four.
Fortunately for Quenda, he’s regularly featured in numerous positions across both formations. When Ruben Amorim handed him his Portuguese top-flight debut in August 2024, he featured at right wing-back in a 3-1 win over Rio Ave.
Quenda has since played 86 times for Sporting, operating almost as many times as a left-winger, right-winger, and right wing-back. The Chelsea wonderkid has also enjoyed a handful of appearances in attacking midfield, as well as a couple of cameos at left wing-back.
With plenty of experience in various positions at the highest level, Quenda could quickly become a key player for Alonso next season. This summer, the teenager will finally join the Blues, ending his 11-year association with Sporting.
During an emotional interview with club media last month, as quoted by Portuguese outlet A Bola, Quenda bid farewell to his childhood club. He said: “I had nights where I couldn’t sleep because it was very difficult for me to say goodbye to a club that helped me and my family so much.
“It’s a very special club for me. The club will always stay in my heart. I have no way to thank Sporting enough for how they treated my parents and my family.”
Quenda continued: “I’m more mature now, with a bit more experience, although there is still a lot for me to live in football. But Sporting helped me so much.
“I will always carry Sporting in my heart. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you soon. I hope one day I can wear the Sporting shirt again.”
Then, later in an interview with Sport TV, Quenda vowed to help Alonso transform Chelsea’s fortunes. He said: “I was with them when I was injured. They have a good group, we’ll be able to turn things around.”
