Soon-to-be Chelsea youngster Geovany Quenda has once again been recognised on the international stage. Portugal under-21 coach Luís Freire has been speaking to A Bola about his decision to include the midfielder in his squad.
Freire pointed out the 19-year-old is already playing in the Champions League at Sporting, something that brings extra weight to his call-up. “Quenda is playing in the Champions League. Still very young but already in a very high-level context, in the best competitions. For us, that is a real asset,” he said.
The coach made it clear that the level of competition Quenda faces week after week is exactly what the national team needs. “Our objective is clear: win the games against Bulgaria and Gibraltar and then be a team that wants to win the European Championship. He already brings experience and for us it is valuable to have him in the under-21s.”
Freire also underlined the midfielder’s conduct during the last camp, praising his impact on and off the pitch. That sounds good for his Chelsea future.
“Both for what he showed on the pitch and for his attitude off it, he was important in the camp. Having young players in this context makes it easier to prepare for the European challenge ahead.”
Quenda’s rise at Sporting has been closely followed by the local press, with the Lisbon club offering him a platform at the highest level.
His role with the under-21 national side now adds another layer to his development, and his next steps will surely be monitored by Chelsea.
