Chelsea Football Club has made a bold statement in the transfer market, completing a £62.4 million double signing of Sporting Lisbon youngsters Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo. The Premier League giants have once again demonstrated their commitment to investing in the future, securing two of Portugal’s most promising talents in a deal announced late Wednesday night by the Portuguese club.
The 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda, widely regarded as one of Europe’s brightest attacking prospects, joins Chelsea for a fee of £43.7 million. However, fans will have to wait to see the versatile teenager in action at Stamford Bridge, as he will remain with Sporting Lisbon until the summer of 2026. Quenda has already made waves this season, breaking into Sporting’s first team and earning a Champions League debut in September. His dynamic performances had also caught the eye of Manchester United, where former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim now manages, but Chelsea swooped in to secure his signature.
Joining Quenda in the move is 20-year-old defensive midfielder Dario Essugo, acquired for £18.7 million. Essugo, currently on loan at La Liga side Las Palmas, will complete his stint in Spain before linking up with Enzo Maresca’s squad this summer. Known for his tenacity and ball-winning ability, Essugo has impressed in Spain despite a fiery disciplinary record, picking up two red cards in his last four appearances. His arrival is expected to bolster Chelsea’s midfield depth, particularly as the club prepares for a demanding 2025-26 season that includes the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Sporting Lisbon confirmed the combined transfer package in a statement, highlighting Chelsea’s willingness to invest heavily in youth. Quenda’s deal includes a seven-year contract with an option for an additional year, while Essugo’s move marks the second major agreement between the two clubs in a matter of days. The total outlay of £62.4 million underscores Chelsea’s strategy under Todd Boehly’s ownership to build a squad brimming with high-potential talent for the long term.
Chelsea’s recruitment approach has been relentless in recent years, with the Blues already securing summer moves for Brazilian starlet Estêvão Willian and Ecuadorian prodigy Kendry Páez, both 17. The additions of Quenda and Essugo further cement this vision, blending raw potential with tactical versatility. Quenda, who has operated as both a winger and wing-back, brings flair and work rate, while Essugo’s combative style offers a robust shield in midfield—a perfect complement to the likes of Moises Caicedo.
Manager Enzo Maresca will be delighted with the captures, especially as Essugo could feature as early as this summer’s Club World Cup. For Quenda, the extended stay in Lisbon allows him to continue developing in a familiar environment before making the leap to the Premier League. The teenager’s 44 appearances this season, yielding two goals and eight assists, suggest he’ll arrive in 2026 as a polished product.
The double deal has sparked excitement among Chelsea supporters, though some rival fans have pointed to the club’s spending spree—now exceeding £1 billion since Boehly’s takeover—as a sign of extravagance. Yet, the Blues’ track record of nurturing young talent into first-team stars offers hope that Quenda and Essugo could justify their hefty price tags.