There’s nothing that makes you feel your age quite as much as Manchester United trying to sign a player who was just one year old when Edwin van der Sar brought the Champions League trophy back to Old Trafford.
According to reports coming out of the wonderkid’s homeland, Manchester United have started the talks already. And a big-money offer – one that could potentially trigger his £50 million release clause – is potentially on the way.
Geovany Quenda wasn’t even born when Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney made their Red Devils debuts.
But in a year in which Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal inspired Spain to European Championship glory, another member of that ‘2007 generation’ continues to prove that it is not age that matters but ability.
And Quenda – Portugal Roberto Martinez labels him a ‘spectacular’ talent – is certainly not short of that.
Geovany Quenda ‘perfect’ for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United
“There is only one Geovany Quenda,” Fabio Roque, who coached the 17-year-old for Sporting’s youth teams, tells Sky Sports. “He is different from any other player I trained. He can create a mark on football that is totally different.
“We are talking about [Quenda alongside] Lamine Yamal and Estevao Willian [as] probably the best players in that generation born in 2007.”
Chelsea have already agreed an initial £29 million deal to bring Estevao to Stamford Bridge from Brazilian giants Palmeiras.
And the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Manchester United’s new coach certainly raises the chances of Quenda following in Estavao’s footsteps, A Bola explain.
Roque, meanwhile, is keen to point out that one of the breakout stars of this season’s Champions League has already proven himself capable of thriving as a right-sided wing-back in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
“That formation is perfect for him,” Roque argues, drawing comparisons between Sporting’s number 57 and a young Bukayo Saka in his formative years at Arsenal.
“When Amorim arrived, it was clear as water that Quenda could fit into that very well. He has a great relationship with the goal and is very good one vs one. He is so committed in defensive moments and defensive duels.
“He plays so well there because the space that he covers on the field is huge. Geo is so demanding with himself in the defensive moments; To close, to recover fast, to win the defensive duels for his team-mates.
“He reminds me of Bukayo Saka in the beginning of his career when he played as a full-back.”
Ruben Amorim is a huge fan of Sporting wonderkid
Quenda, like Saka, could yet blossom into an out-and-out winger due to his explosive acceleration, his eye for goal, and his penchant for making pretzels out of nearby defenders.
If he does follow Ruben Amorim to Man United, however, the expectation will be that Quenda can perform the same duties he embraced so spectacularly at Sporting.
Amad Diallo started at wing-back as Man United drew with Ipswich Town on Sunday. There is already a feeling, however, that a footballer of his vision and guile is best utilised in a more central role, freed up from the sort of defensive responsibilities Quenda refuses to shy away from.
“He’s a very talented kid,” Amorim told reporters during their time together in the Portuguese capital. “Bery strong physically, very focused, with his feet firmly on the ground. That’s very important for a young player.
“I think he has to improve a lot in his finishing. The amount of times he comes inside and shoots over the bar… He doesn’t put the ball in the goal well, that’s a detail he has to improve.
“I think he’s going to be a great player, but let’s give it time.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/aDubq0h