(DDM) — Chelsea F.C. have reportedly delayed the return of young Portuguese winger Geovany Quenda to Sporting CP amid concerns over his physical condition following recent surgery.
The 21-year-old attacker has been undergoing rehabilitation at Chelsea’s Cobham training facility after undergoing foot surgery. Initially, Quenda was expected to travel back to Lisbon last week to rejoin Sporting, but the English club has decided to postpone the move temporarily.
According to reports from British media outlets, Chelsea’s medical and performance teams are worried about the amount of muscle mass the winger has lost during his recovery period. As a result, the club has placed him on a specialized fitness program aimed at rebuilding strength before allowing him to return to competitive action.
The training programme is expected to last roughly two weeks and will focus primarily on restoring muscle balance, conditioning, and match readiness.
Club officials believe that rushing the player back too soon could increase the risk of further injury and potentially delay his long-term development.
Quenda is widely regarded as one of the promising young attacking talents in European football, capable of playing effectively on both flanks. His versatility and pace have attracted attention from several top clubs across Europe.
Chelsea’s cautious handling of the situation reflects the importance the club places on the player’s long-term potential.
The London club’s coaching staff, led by manager Enzo Maresca, reportedly view Quenda as a player who could provide tactical flexibility in the attacking areas once he reaches full fitness.
Chelsea’s current squad situation also highlights why the club is monitoring the winger’s recovery carefully.
Wide attacking options at Stamford Bridge have been somewhat limited due to injuries affecting several players. Young Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho has recently taken advantage of the opportunity to feature more prominently in the team’s attack.
Garnacho has impressed in recent matches against teams such as Wrexham A.F.C. and Aston Villa F.C., showing flashes of creativity and attacking threat.
However, analysts note that his performances have been somewhat inconsistent throughout the season, highlighting the potential value additional attacking depth could provide for the club.
Meanwhile, other wide players including Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian have been sidelined with injuries, further limiting the squad’s attacking options.
Reports suggest that Gittens is close to returning to full training, while Estevao continues to recover gradually.
Chelsea’s decision to delay Quenda’s return to Sporting has reportedly been communicated to the Portuguese club, which had initially hoped the winger would resume training with them earlier.
Despite Sporting’s eagerness to have the player back, Chelsea’s medical team is prioritizing a complete recovery process.
The club believes that allowing Quenda to regain full physical strength and conditioning now will maximize his impact next season and reduce the chances of further setbacks.
For Chelsea, the strategy reflects a broader approach increasingly adopted by top European clubs, carefully managing young talent to ensure long-term performance rather than risking premature returns from injury.
If the rehabilitation plan progresses as expected, Quenda could soon complete his recovery phase and resume full football activities in the coming weeks.
