Geovany Quenda responds to limited Chelsea minutes after summer move

Geovany Quenda has insisted he will continue working for his opportunities at Chelsea after playing just 27 minutes across two appearances since his summer arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The 19-year-old winger, who had been a regular at Sporting before moving to England, has found Pedro Neto ahead of him on the right under Xabi Alonso.

Quenda is now away with Portugal's Under-21 squad, where he has addressed his lack of club football while preparing for their final European Championship qualifier against Czechia.

Asked by Portuguese newspaper O Jogo about his limited involvement, Quenda made clear that he is concentrating on what he can influence rather than questioning Alonso's selection decisions.

“About what I don’t control, I can’t do anything,” Quenda said. “They’re the manager’s decisions. I just have to keep giving my best.”

It is a significant change for a player accustomed to regular football with Sporting. Quenda is now competing with Neto for opportunities at Chelsea and is not guaranteed a starting position with Portugal's Under-21s either.

O Jogo describes the winger as one of Portugal U21 coach Luís Freire's important options, but reports that this does not necessarily mean he will start against Czechia.

Portugal have already qualified for Euro 2027, reducing the competitive pressure surrounding their final qualifier against Czechia.

For Quenda, though, the fixture could still provide valuable playing time after his limited opportunities at Chelsea.

“We’ve already faced Czechia and it was very difficult at their ground,” he said. “I think it’ll be a good game to test what the matches at the Euros could be like.”

Portugal were eliminated 1-0 by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the previous European Championship, and Quenda believes that experience underlines the importance of their preparation.

“All the games at a European Championship are difficult, so we have to prepare well to have a good tournament,” he added.

Quenda also discussed his understanding with Porto youngster Rodrigo Mora, developed through their time together in Portugal's youth sides.

“I think we’re important for the group,” Quenda said. “Rodrigo jokes and says I’m always passing him the ball, but that happens because we have dynamics going back a long time.”

For Quenda personally, international minutes would also provide an opportunity to regain competitive rhythm before returning to Chelsea.

His comments offer no suggestion that he is unhappy at Stamford Bridge. Instead, the winger's position is straightforward: selection belongs to Alonso, while his responsibility is to be ready when an opportunity arrives.

Quenda's immediate opportunity comes with Portugal U21 against Czechia, where playing time could help him build match rhythm before returning to Chelsea. Once back in London, his challenge will be to turn training performances and any international minutes into more opportunities under Alonso.