Chelsea's new signing Geovany Quenda hopes to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo by leaving Sporting's academy for the challenge and exposure of the Premier League.

Chelsea's newest signing Geovany Quenda hopes to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo by leaving Sporting's academy for the challenge and exposure of the Premier League. Often compared stylistically to Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, Quenda's journey began with an episode that has since become part of his personal folklore. Arriving at an early training session at grassroots club Damaiense wearing jeans and shoes, he was initially told he could not take part. But after producing an effortless first touch and dribble when the ball came his way, coach Ana Correia persuaded club officials to "make an exception" for Quenda, as she later recalled in an interview with Sabado. Quenda's path to the top was far from conventional. Born in Guinea-Bissau, he moved to Portugal at the age of seven and had to adapt quickly to a new environment. That journey took him from the Damaiense's under-10s to Benfica's academy before he joined city rivals Sporting, where his development propelled him to prominence in Portuguese football. Now at Chelsea, having reportedly agreed to join as far back as March 2025 but only just formally unveiled on a contract until 2034, the Portugal Under-21 international has the opportunity to showcase his talent on an even bigger stage. When Quenda joined Chelsea, he was accompanied by his father, mother, sisters, friends, agents and his godfather Basaula Lemba, a former top-flight footballer in Portugal who also won 10 caps for Zaire.