Estevao Willian set for Xabi Alonso competition after Chelsea get £40m transfer confirmation

Estevao Willian is set for even more competition on the right-hand side of Chelsea’s attack next season following the arrival of a new signing at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea confirmed the £40million capture of Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP on Wednesday evening with the west Londoners providing new manager Xabi Alonso with more depth out on both wings.

The 19-year-old arrives from Portugal after a deal was agreed with Sporting last year and he is set for a role in the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge next season. Sources close to the player say Quenda’s preferred position is on the right-hand side of attack, but the youngster is willing to play anywhere in order to help the team.

Quenda is set to be an option for Alonso on both wings – of course, dependant on what formation the new manager wants to use at Chelsea. Last season, Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto were the main two options on the right side, while Cole Palmer would eventually shift out there from a central position, while Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho were often used on the opposite flank under Enzo Maresca, Calum McFarlane and Liam Rosenior.

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Wherever he plays, Quenda will look to grasp the opportunity handed to him. After his signing was confirmed on Wednesday, the Portugal Under-21 international said : “It feels great to be here. Chelsea is a great team and I am excited to play here at Stamford Bridge. The club has shown faith in players like me and I am proud to be here, proud to be part of this club.

“I am excited to work with my teammates and the manager, Xabi Alonso. I’m a very hard-working young person and I like to help my team. I want to be someone known for having the right mentality to help my teammates and who does their best for the club to win trophies.”

Quenda has already been hard at work at the club’s training centre in Cobham with the winger cutting his holidays short in order to do some individual work at his new workplace. Today (Thursday), Quenda will meet the majority of his new teammates for the first time as the Alonso era gets underway in Surrey.

Alonso will take his first pre-season training session of the summer for those not currently involved (or that were involved) at the World Cup. Quenda, alongside the likes of new signing Marco Palestra, and Chelsea stars Joao Pedro and Palmer, are expected to be involved in Cobham.