Quenda is one of several Chelsea attackers who are struggling to make an impression under Alonso this season.
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Young winger Geovany Quenda has opened up about his lack of opportunities since arriving at Chelsea this summer.
The 19-year-old joined Chelsea on a pre-agreed deal worth £40 million from Sporting CP. It's a steep price to pay for a teenage talent, but he's played only 27 minutes across two substitute appearances in the Premier League so far.
Several factors are at play behind Quenda's slow start at Chelsea.
The most obvious ones are Xabi Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system and the fierce competition for attacking spots at the club.
Quenda is not the only winger to suffer from these issues. Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens are also in a similar situation, with Cole Palmer and club-record signing Morgan Rogers occupying the only two non-striker attacking spots in the system.
Alonso seems to see him as a right-winger option, the role Quenda played when he came on as a substitute in the 3-0 defeat to Brentford before the break. But he also featured as a right wing-back in the season-opening win over Fulham and in pre-season.
Unfortunately for Quenda, Pedro Neto has been Alonso's first-choice option for an attacking right wing-back. Once Marco Palestra comes back into the picture, with his return from injury imminent, getting any minutes in this position will become even more unlikely.
Speaking recently about his limited minutes at Chelsea, the versatile winger admitted that he somewhat understands his situation at the club.
“There’s nothing I can do about things I can’t control,” Quenda told Portuguese outlet O Jogo while on international duty with Portugal Under-21s.
“But I always give my all to try and play, and obviously there are some great players at the club.
“It’s down to the manager’s decisions; I just have to keep giving my all.”
Quenda's words may remind some fans of Estevao’s recent comment about his situation at Chelsea. The two teenagers obviously have the potential to be regulars at Chelsea, but Alonso has very little incentive to disturb the stability of his in-form front three of Palmer, Rogers, and Joao Pedro.
Chelsea’s lack of European football this season has also left less room for rotation, with domestic cup games being the only realistic chances for fringe players to try to impress the manager.
Quenda getting much-needed minutes on international duty
Given his limited involvement at Chelsea, Quenda must be enjoying his time with the Portugal Under-21s.
He has played two full 90-minute matches so far, against Bulgaria and Gibraltar in the European Under-21s Championship qualifiers. Interestingly, he played on the left flank in both games.
Portugal Under-21s have already secured the top spot in Group B in the qualifiers, but they will still play against second-placed Czechia on Tuesday. Quenda is expected to be involved in the final qualifying game before heading back to west London for Saturday’s Premier League return against AFC Bournemouth.
Depending on Palmer’s injury situation, Estevao and Quenda may even get the opportunity to feature in this game.