'Incredible and different' Quenda plays like Saka and wants to follow Ronaldo

[Getty Images] Chelsea's newest signing Geovany Quenda hopes to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo by leaving Sporting's academy for the challenge and exposure of the Premier League. Quenda's path to the top was far from conventional. Born in Guinea-Bissau, he moved to Portugal at the age of seven and had to adapt quickly to a new environment. That journey took him from the Damaiense's under-10s to Benfica's academy before he joined city rivals Sporting, where his development propelled him to prominence in Portuguese football. "We saw him as an under-10 player playing against us for Benfica," former youth coach Roque told BBC Sport. "He was incredible and different. His discipline was not always great and he was still raw, but his attitude was excellent. He was demanding of himself, confident, unpredictable, brave and had a great relationship with the ball." After Quenda scored against Sporting in a key match for Benfica, he eventually made what Roque described as a "natural" move. Quenda then progressed into the under-23s at Sporting under Tiago Teixeira. "Everyone talked about him. Everyone said he was one of the most talented players in the academy," Teixeira told BBC Sport. "We wanted him to develop step by step, but he could have made his debut sooner." Although Quenda joins a canon of great Sporting wingers, including Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Nani, his former coach believes he most closely resembles Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka. "It's his explosiveness, his ability to play inside, protect the ball, his unpredictability and his creativity," Roque added. "His running, crossing and final pass remind me a lot of Saka. He's one of the most impressive players I've seen. Among players born in 2007, he is one of the best in the world, alongside Lamine Yamal and Estevao." Read more on Quenda's rise