Chelsea Secure £40 Million Deal for Liga Portugal Record-Breaker Geovany Quenda
Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Sporting CP’s teenage sensation Geovany Quenda for a reported £40 million, with the 18-year-old winger set to join the Blues next summer. The move for Quenda, who surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo as the youngest player to score in Liga Portugal, underscores Chelsea’s commitment to building a formidable young squad under manager Enzo Maresca.
Quenda’s journey to the cusp of Premier League stardom began in an unconventional fashion. At under 10 years old, he arrived for his first training session with Damaiense clad in denim jeans, as his kit hadn’t yet arrived. Despite initial hesitation from club officials,Quenda’s exceptional dribbling skills quickly convinced them to allow him to showcase his talent. “His performance left the coaches astounded,” a source close to the club recalled, ensuring his first training session would be unforgettable.
The young winger rapidly ascended through Damaiense’s academy before attracting the attention of Benfica, Porto, and Sporting. Ultimately, it was Sporting manager Rúben Amorim who saw Quenda’s potential, repeatedly calling him up to the first-team squad. Quenda ultimately made his senior debut at 17 in a high-stakes match against Porto. Despite a 4-3 defeat, the debut marked a pivotal moment, with amorim demonstrating faith in the young player.
Quenda’s ascent continued rapidly. An injury to Nuno Santos provided an opportunity in the first XI, and he seized it, breaking Ronaldo’s record for the youngest goalscorer in Liga Portugal. He also became the youngest player to start a Champions League match for Sporting and the youngest to score in Europe’s top competition for the club.In his breakout 2024/25 season, Quenda recorded more assists than Ronaldo, Nani, Figo, Simao Sabrosa, and Ricardo Quaresma had in their respective debut seasons.
Interest from clubs across Europe soon followed, with Amorim – now at Manchester United – reportedly keen on bringing Quenda to Old Trafford. However, Chelsea had already established a strong rapport with Quenda and his representatives earlier in 2025. By mid-March, the Blues finalized a £40 million agreement with Sporting for a transfer in the summer of 2026.
The plan is for Quenda to continue his progress with Sporting this season before joining Maresca’s squad for the 2026/27 campaign. Chelsea has assured Quenda that he will be integrated into the first-team plans, dismissing speculation of a potential loan spell. “The club sees him as a key part of the future,” a source within Chelsea stated.
Currently,Quenda is focused on helping Sporting challenge for the Liga Portugal title,with Rui Borges’ side trailing leaders Porto by three points after 11 matches. behind the scenes, the 18-year-old is diligently learning English and familiarizing himself with Chelsea’s style of play by attending home matches. he is also undertaking intensive physical conditioning to prepare for the demands of the Premier League, reviewing his performances and studying footage of elite wingers like Neymar, Lamine Yamal, and Ronaldo.
However, Quenda will face stiff competition for playing time at Chelsea. The Blues already boast a wealth of young attacking talent, including tyrique George, whose limited opportunities this season – just nine appearances in all competitions – highlight the depth of the squad. The recent acquisitions of Alejandro Garnacho and jamie Gittens further strengthen the options on the left flank,while Estevao Willian is considered a generational talent. Cole palmer and Pedro Neto are also firmly established as key attacking players under Maresca.
Despite the competition, Quenda is prepared to compete for a place in the lineup. He has demonstrated versatility,capable of playing as both a winger and a No. 10. “He’s ready to take on any role across the front line,” a representative for Quenda confirmed. The Portuguese star is confident in his ability to become one of the world’s best, and is embracing the challenge that awaits him at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s continued investment in young attacking talent may raise eyebrows, but as demonstrated by Estevao’s promising start, it can yield significant rewards. With Quenda’s arrival, the club is confident they are building a squad capable of dominating English and European football for years to come.
