Xabi Alonso will meet the majority of his Chelsea squad at the start of next month as the new manager gets to work at Stamford Bridge
12:06, 12 Jun 2026
Xabi Alonso
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Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso(Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce)
Geovany Quenda will begin training with his new Chelsea teammates next month as the ambitious teenage winger looks to make an immediate impression on Xabi Alonso.
The 19-year-old, who will officially become a Blues player this summer after the west Londoners agreed a £40million deal with Sporting CP for the wide man's signature back in 2025, is excited to get to work at his new employers and is also relishing the opportunity to work under Alonso. Sources close to the Portuguese winger have told football.london that Alonso is someone whom he greatly admires - first as a player but now as a coach.
Quenda is set to be part of the first-team picture at Chelsea next season and the winger is hoping to take advantage of the late arrivals of Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian this summer. Both wingers play in similar positions to Quenda and will arrive late from the World Cup and from injury, respectively.
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Maniche, a fellow Portuguese who also represented Chelsea, has now delivered an exciting prediction regarding his compatriot and what he can offer Alonso in his debut season in the Premier League.
Speaking in an interview with Flashscore, Maniche said: "They can expect a player with a lot of personality and flair. He's young, but has above-average maturity. He's very strong one-on-one, has technical quality, and has also improved a lot defensively.
"Nowadays, the physical side is valued too much and creativity is often forgotten. Quenda has creativity, talent, and the ability to make a difference. He will need time to adapt, because the Premier League is very demanding, but I believe he has everything it takes to succeed. The fans can expect a very talented player."
Maniche, who spent half a season on loan at Chelsea in 2006, has urged his former club to back new manager Alonso to bring some stability to Stamford Bridge.
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"Stability," the former Blues midfielder replied when asked how the west Londoners can become a dominant force again. "Chelsea has lived for many years in a cycle of constant changes: players, coaches, directors.
"It's hard to create an identity when everything changes so quickly. Good players and good coaches are still there, but what's missing is continuity and a bit of peace. They need a solid project that allows a team to be built over several years. Without stability, it's very difficult to achieve consistent success."