Chelsea FC has made headlines once again with their bold strategy of acquiring young talent, as they confirmed the signing of 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP. The agreement, reported on March 10, 2025, marks another chapter in Chelsea's ambition to create a youth-focused squad. Quenda will remain with Sporting until the summer of 2026, which will allow him to accumulate first-team experience.
Under the guidance of former Sporting academy coach Fabio Roque, Quenda is recognized as one of the most exciting prospects under 18. Roque described Quenda as similar to players like Rafael Leao and Bukayo Saka, but with enhanced crossing abilities and field coverage. “Geovany simply covers more ground,” Roque added. “More so, his crossing is very powerful. He enjoys starting wide, cutting inside, and excelling even among tight spaces.” Roque underscored the potential for Quenda to improve his shooting as he matures with the game.
With 44 appearances this season for the Portuguese outfit, including ten matches in the UEFA Champions League, Quenda's experience is growing rapidly. His selection for Chelsea over Manchester United was influenced by the opportunity to play as a winger rather than as a wing-back—a role he might have been forced to adopt under United's manager, Ruben Amorim.
Simultaneously, reports indicate Chelsea is also set to secure midfielder Drio Essugo from Sporting CP, who is currently on loan at Las Palmas for around £18.5 million. Essugo has risen through the ranks, establishing himself firmly at the club and even becoming the youngest-ever debutant for Sporting at just 16 years old. Seen as capable of providing physicality and defensive strength, Essugo described himself as someone who “likes to steal the ball and move forward,” aiming to provide security to his team.
Essugo’s previous loan experiences have helped mold him to adapt effectively, with the midfielder currently excelling as he contributes significantly to Las Palmas. Despite some indiscipline issues noted during his time on loan, his aggressiveness and tenacity on the field have been praised. With Chelsea aiming to strengthen its midfield, he is expected to provide competition and depth, ideally suiting the dynamic needs of manager Enzo Maresca’s style of play.
Manchester United had also pursued Quenda, engaging significantly with Sporting's leadership and appearing confident of securing the talent at one point. Yet, United's management hesitated when the initial price was set at €60 million (£50 million), causing Chelsea to swoop in with their cut-price offer of around €48 million (£40 million). This strategic move has left United recalibrated, as they now seek players with similar attacking capabilities to bolster their squad without directly replacing Quenda.
United’s missed opportunity to sign Quenda is evident as they now assess their transfer strategy. The club is attempting to reflect on its approach to wing-backs, which are pivotal to Amorim's 3-4-3 system. Recently acquired Patrick Dorgu signifies the club’s commitment to strengthening these positions, but the missed acquisition of Quenda posed challenges. It might mean re-evaluations, including considering Amad Diallo, who thrived as a right-sided attacker but may need adjustments to fit the team’s expectations.
Notably, Quenda’s decision to join Chelsea sheds light on the club’s refined focus on attracting youth talent, setting the stage for their future with potential stars. Both Quenda and Essugo represent more than mere signings; they symbolize Chelsea’s ambition to not only compete domestically and internationally but also to nurture the promising players of tomorrow.
