Who are Geovany Quenda and Dário Essugo? The Sporting CP duo set to join Chelsea | OneFootball

Chelsea’s strategy of snapping up the best young talent in Europe and beyond shows no signs of slowing down, following reports that they are set to secure the double signing of Sporting CP duo Geovany Quenda and Dário Essugo.

The Blues have embarked on an enormous spending spree since the BlueCo takeover, focusing on building a collection of some of the most exciting young talents from across the world.

And the latest two names to add to that list are set to be Quenda and Essugo, according to various reports. Both currently play for Sporting in Portugal, with 17-year-old winger Quenda reportedly set to join the club in 2026 for a fee of around £40m, while midfielder Essugo, currently on loan at Las Palmas, is expected to join in the summer for £18.5m.

Here’s what we know about the duo…

Playing history

Quenda joined Sporting’s academy in 2019 from Benfica, rising through the ranks quickly to establish himself in the first team this season. He has played 44 times in all competitions so far this campaign, scoring two goals and setting up eight.

Essugo also came through Sporting’s academy, making his debut in 2021 and making 25 appearances for the club but has played his football out on loan of late, first with Portuguese side Chaves and currently Las Palmas in Spain.

Both have also represented their nation Portugal at U21 level.

Style of play

Quenda is a tricky and pacey wide player who can cause teams plenty of problems with his directness. Left-footed, he has played on both flanks but looks best coming in off the right and onto his favoured foot. He still has a long way to go to improve his composure, as is to be expected of such a young player, but has bags of potential.

Essugo, meanwhile, is a ball-winning midfielder who would likely fill the role played by Moises Caicedo at Chelsea. He is athletic, hard-working and strong in duels and also has the potential to impact the game further forward too. His decision making still has to improve and the Premier League will be a step up in quality but he certainly looks promising.

Who else has been interested?

Manchester United were said to be very keen on Quenda, who played under their manager Ruben Amorim at Sporting. Essugo, meanwhile, has reportedly attracted the interest of Leeds, as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

What’s been said?

Sporting CP boss Rui Borges on Quenda’s development: “It’s his merit, not only with me but with coach Ruben as well. His individual quality isn’t enough and he knows that he needs to be committed. If he played in the under-17s, it would be the ball at his feet and Quenda would sort it out. Here he sorts it out just as well, but he has to be focused on the same things, on the defensive moments and behaviours. He’s a kid who likes to learn, who is developing and who is very happy.”

Analysis from La Pausa on Essugo: “Other than when he’s ripping off 40-yard runs to tee up one-v-ones, the book on Essugo tends to be about effective breaking up of the game and neat use of the ball, with a pass completion rate just under 90%. Sound play in and out of possession is what has brought him to the party, and alleviated any doubts about how a teenage player would handle his context.”