Enzo Maresca can finally build dream Chelsea XI as 'next Bukayo Saka' transfer agreed

Enzo Maresca could build one of the most exciting young teams in Europe if Chelsea can wrap up a deal for Geovany Quenda. The Sporting CP winger emerged as a target for Manchester United shortly after Ruben Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

While the Portuguese tactician was a big fan of Quenda, he promised not to poach any of his former players in the January transfer window. Amorim left the door wide open for Chelsea to swoop in for the 17-year-old, who's been compared to Bukayo Saka.

football.london understands the Blues have agreed a £40m deal with Sporting to sign Quenda. The Portugal Under-21 international, who will join Chelsea at the end of next season, has signed a seven-year contract, which includes the option of a further 12 months.

Amorim handed Quenda his Portuguese top-flight debut in August 2024, starting in a 3-1 win over Rio Ave. He was thrown into the deep end, quickly becoming a key player for Sporting.

The teenager has remained a regular in the starting line-up, appearing across the frontline and at wing-back. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at how Chelsea could set up once Quenda finally joins at the end of next season.

Chelsea spoiled for choice on the flanks

With Quenda in the ranks, Chelsea will be spoiled for choice on the flanks. The Blues already have the likes of Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho at their disposal, not to mention Tyrique George, who's recently been entrusted by Maresca, and Estevao Willian, who'll arrive from Palmeiras this summer.

Ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, Chelsea could rotate between Madueke and Quenda on the right, Palmer and Estevao in number 10 role, and Neto and Sancho on the left. With Kendry Paez also expected to join Maresca's squad soon, the west Londoners will have a lot of talented left-footed technicians.

Maresca given keys to new formation

By signing Quenda, Maresca could trial a new formation. Under the Italian, Chelsea shift to a back-three when in possession, with one of the full-backs tucking into midfield, so a change in shape down the line can't be entirely ruled out.

Maresca was quite stubborn with his choice of tactics at Leicester City, but he's been flexible, open to change and increasingly proactive with his substitutions. Not only would Quenda offer quality in the final third, but he'd also be a valuable asset when the Blues' backs are against the wall.

Chelsea sign the 'next Saka'

While Quenda regularly featured as a right wing-back under Amorim, he's been operating as a left-winger since the Portuguese tactician left to take the reins at United. If Chelsea were to sign the teenager, it's likely he'd continue to be utilised in Maresca's frontline.

He played most of his academy football in the frontline of a 4-3-3, predominantly on the right, cutting inside. But, like Saka, Quenda enjoyed his first senior minutes as a wing-back.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Fabio Roque, one of the youngster's coaches in the Sporting academy, said: "When Amorim arrived, it was clear as water that Quenda could fit into that [3-4-2-1 formation] very well."

Roque added: "He is so committed in defensive moments and defensive duels. He plays so well there because the space that he covers on the field is huge. Geo is so demanding with himself in the defensive moments.

"To close, to recover fast, to win the defensive duels for his team-mates. It reminds me of Bukayo Saka in the beginning of his career when he played as a full-back. There is only one Geovany Quenda.

"He is different from any other player I trained. He can create a mark on football that is totally different. We are talking about, with Lamine Yamal and Estevao Willian [set to join Chelsea in the summer of 2025], probably the best players in that generation born in 2007.

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