Quenda will arrive at Chelsea next summer. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Future Chelsea star branded a 'real asset' by coach both on and off the pitch

Originally posted on Chelsea News | By Charlie Patrick | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Portugal under-21 coach Luís Freire has spoken very highly of future Chelsea star Geovany Quenda, who’s once again impressing at Sporting Lisbon.

Chelsea agreed a deal worth an initial £42.5m with Sporting Lisbon for Quenda earlier this year, and part of the conditions were he’d remain in Portugal this season and join the Blues in 2026.

Quenda has made a good start to the season with one goal and four assists in 10 appearances in all competitions.

Future Chelsea star Geovany Quenda praised

The 18-year-old is primarily a right winger, and is set to compete with Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto when he arrives at Stamford Bridge.

Providing he remains injury free Quenda is set to arrive having made over 100 appearances for Sporting, including in the Champions League.

Thierry Henry has praised Quenda, and the winger is regarded as one of the best players in the world in his age group.

Despite his ability the youngster is yet to make his debut for Portugal, and currently has four goals in nine caps for the under-21 side, but his boss Freire has spoken glowingly about him.

“Geovany Quenda is playing in the Champions League,” he told A Bola.

“Still very young but already in a very high-level context, in the best competitions.

“For us, that is a real asset.”

Chelsea building for the future

The signing of Quenda is yet another example of Chelsea looking to bring the best young talent from around the world to west London.

The Portuguese is likely to go straight into the first team squad, and along with Estevao and Lamine Yamal Chelsea are regarded as having two of the best players in the world in that age group.

It will be interesting to see how the teenager develops over the course of the season, but he looks a top talent and appears ready to make an impact next season.

This article first appeared on Chelsea News and was syndicated with permission.

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