€50m Chelsea signing already frustrated with Alonso: 'Can't do anything'

6 Oct 2026 16:32 BST 2 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

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Chelsea summer signing Geovany Quenda is already growing frustrated with his limited game time under Xabi Alonso.

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The teenager arrived at Stamford Bridge in the previous transfer window as part of a pre-agreed deal from Sporting CP. Quenda had emerged as one of the biggest talents in Portugal in 2024 and was one of Europe's most in-demand commodities by early 2025.

That spring, the 19-year-old looked poised to reunite with his former head coach Ruben Amorim at Man Utd. Quenda had been deemed an ideal option in the right-wing-back position of the 41-year-old's system, and there were reportedly talks over a move.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€49.4M - €60.4M

Quenda turned 18 in April 2025, so he would have been able to move to Man Utd that summer. However, things transpired completely differently when Chelsea swooped in and agreed a deal worth just over €50 million.

They managed to beat the Red Devils to his signature by offering a much more attractive formula. Instead of signing Quenda directly, they gave Sporting the chance to keep him for another season, which in turn allowed the youngster to continue his development in a familiar setting.

Quenda struggling for minutes

This summer, Quenda formally arrived at Stamford Bridge, but the situation at Chelsea was completely different from when he agreed to join the club in March 2025. That's the risk you run when you pre-agree a transfer well in advance.

Chelsea have burned through two permanent head coaches this year, and Xabi Alonso is now in charge. On paper, the Basque's willingness to play a back three should suit Quenda, who can play at wing-back.

However, so far, the 19-year-old has barely been seen. He played a handful of minutes against Fulham on opening day and then again in the 3-0 loss to Brentford ahead of the international break. Those are his only two appearances to date.

He didn't make the matchday squad for Chelsea's second Premier League game of the season and was an unused substitute in the subsequent two fixtures. Unlike the club's other fringe players, he hasn't even been used in the Carabao Cup.

Understandably, then, there is growing discontent with his role in the team. The international break offers players a chance to speak about their club situations more candidly, and Quenda has now become the second Chelsea player after Mike Penders to voice his frustration.

Speaking to O Jogo (via Sport Witness), the Portugal youth international admitted that he is powerless to do much else other than attempt to impress in training.

"About what I don’t control, I can’t do anything," Quenda said with an air of resignation. "They’re the manager’s decisions. I just have to keep giving my best."

It's an unusual situation for the 19-year-old. Despite his youth, he made 86 senior appearances for Sporting between 2024 and 2026, bagging nine goals and 17 assists in just shy of 5,300 minutes.