**[Chelsea](https://sportwitness.co.uk/category/premier-league/chelsea/) youngster Jesse Derry is already attracting transfer interest after a breakthrough first season at Stamford Bridge, with Portuguese side Sporting now keeping a close eye on the teenager.**
The interest comes after a remarkable rise for the youngster, who only joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace last summer.
Derry spent most of the campaign with Chelsea’s U21 and U19 sides and delivered strong numbers across both age groups. For the U21s, he made 22 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing four assists. One of those goals came against Benfica B in a 6-2 defeat in the Premier League International Cup.
He was equally effective in the UEFA Youth League, scoring five goals in eight appearances for Chelsea’s U19 side.
Those performances earned him opportunities with the senior team. Derry made his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest, playing the opening 45 minutes of Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat. He also came off the bench in FA Cup matches against Wrexham and Hull City, with Chelsea winning the latter 4-0 and overcoming Wrexham after a penalty shootout.
**Sporting looking for left-sided options**
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**[A Bola](https://abola.pt/)** reports the 18-year-old winger is on Sporting’s shortlist as the Lisbon club begin planning for the 2026/27 season. Any move would depend on Sporting making sales first, but Derry has emerged as one of the names under consideration.
According to the story, Sporting are reshaping their plans for the left wing.
Pedro Gonçalves is expected to leave as he looks for a new chapter in his career, while Souleymane Faye is set to be placed on the market after failing to establish himself following his €6.5m (£5.6m) arrival from Granada during the winter transfer window.
Sporting’s priority target for one position remains Deportivo La Coruña winger Yeremay Hernández, but Derry has been added to a shortlist that is gradually being reduced. The Portuguese newspaper adds that former target Chiquinho has already fallen out of contention.
Any move for new wide players is expected to depend partly on Sporting finding a buyer for Faye.
**International progress adds to reputation**
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Jesse Derry’s development has also continued on the international stage with England’s U19 side.
The winger played three matches at the European Championship, scoring twice, and also found the net five times in six qualification appearances. That tally included two goals in England’s 6-0 victory over Portugal.
For now, Sporting’s interest is described as monitoring rather than an active pursuit. Chelsea also remain in a strong position, with Derry under contract until 2029.
Transfermarkt currently values the teenager at €2m (£1.7m), but after a season that brought goals, assists, senior appearances and international recognition, it is easy to understand why clubs outside England have started paying attention.