Update: Man United already know Bernardo Silva’s feelings after missing out on £42m transfer News

Chelsea completed a deal to sign Sporting CP starlet Geoveny Quenda under the nose of Manchester United, with Portugal team-mate Bernardo Silva one of those who knows the talent he possesses

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has backed 17-year-old Geoveny Quenda, who is set to move to Chelsea from Sporting CP in 2026, to claim his Portugal position. Last month, it was confirmed teenage talent Quenda will depart Lisbon for Stamford Bridge in a transfer potentially worth more than £40million.

The youngster, who has committed to a seven-year deal, had previously been on Manchester United and former manager Ruben Amorim’s radar, but chose London as his future home this March. Quenda’s abilities are highly regarded, not only by his past coaches but also by compatriot Silva, who, at 30 years old, conceded that the teenage prodigy may be the one to take over his role in the national team.

Discussing the impressive skills of the Portugal U21 standout, Silva candidly acknowledged the threat to his own international standing, remarking: “He will probably steal my place. At 17, I wasn’t even playing for Benfica’s youth team.”

Yet, Silva isn’t alone in his admiration for the promising Quenda as he prepares to join Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side next year, reports the Mirror.

Amorim, who now manages a struggling United side that had shown interest in securing Quenda before his Chelsea agreement, offered insights into the qualities that set the young player apart during his time with Sporting.

“Very talented kid,” Amorim began as he praised the youngster while still managing in Portugal. “[He’s] very physically robust, very focused, with his feet firmly on the ground. That’s very important for a young player.

“He got his chance, and there was no chance to take it away, no doubt, nothing. I think he’s going to be a great player, but let’s give it time.”

Adding to the praise from within Sporting’s coaching circle, Fabio Roque, who once worked closely with Quenda in the academy, shared his high opinion of the emerging talent.

The former U15 manager likened Quenda to one of the Premier League’s bright talents, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, and paralleled him with Barcelona’s promising Lamine Yamal, and another young star set to join Chelsea in the near future, Estevao Willian.

“Geo is so demanding with himself in the defensive moments,” ex-Sporting academy coach Roque told Sky Sports regarding the 17-year-old.

“To close, to recover fast, to win the defensive duels for his team-mates. It reminds me of Bukayo Saka at the beginning of his career when he played as a full-back.

“There is only one Geovany Quenda [though]. 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 [who will join Chelsea this summer], probably the best players in that generation born in 2007.”