Chelsea's next new signing has been bidding a tearful goodbye to his current club and teammates ahead of rocking up at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Geovany Quenda has long since agreed to join the Blues after a £44million deal was agreed last year. Chelsea agreed to sign Dario Essugo at the same time, although the midfielder joined instantly, while Quenda remained in Portugal for this season.
Quenda says goodbye after solid season
Quenda, a 19-year-old winger, has scored six and assisted nine across all competitions this season, helping Sporting to a second-place finish, behind FC Porto, though they can still win the Taça de Portugal, having reached the final.
Quenda will become the latest young talent to rock up at Chelsea, with the club having spent big money to sign the world's top talents over recent years, and while the adventure is an exciting one, the winger is sad to leave his current club.
Speaking after the club's final home game, a comfortable win over Gil Vicente, he said: "It has been difficult for me. Even on my birthday, when I spoke to my teammates, I told them these last few weeks had been hard."
“Leaving a club that welcomed me since I was 11, helped me a lot, and not only me but also my family, obviously it is difficult. I’m even getting goosebumps now. I just have to thank this club.”
He added: “A lot of things. I went through a lot to reach the first team. Everyone who enters the academy has the dream of one day reaching the first team. I worked for it and managed to achieve my dream. It was not for long, only two seasons, but I managed to win two titles and I will try for the third one that is still missing.”
Whether Quenda can make an immediate impact at Chelsea remains to be seen, given that he is only 19 years old and yet to play in one of the top leagues. That will be down to new boss Xabi Alonso, who will get a good look at the youngster in the winger and likely decide whether to keep him or send him out on loan.
Chelsea already have a host of wingers, including Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and others, but it's certainly possible that Alonso asks for another winger to be signed this summer, given the lack of reliable options on the flank
Quenda will need to prove himself, but that is life at a top club, and it will be interesting to see how he develops in his new surroundings.
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