Quenda races to be fit for Sunderland after muscle problem adds to Chelsea injury list
Geovany Quenda missed two days of training with a minor muscle problem and faces a Friday test before Chelsea's trip to bottom side Sunderland. Losing the teenager would further stretch Xabi Alonso's attacking options before the international break.
Chelsea could be without another wide player for the trip to Sunderland. Geovany Quenda sat out Wednesday’s session at Cobham and was absent again on Thursday. The teenager has a minor muscle injury. Neither the club nor Xabi Alonso has confirmed the problem.
Friday afternoon is the key moment. People close to the player told Football.London he should return to training then. The club will decide after that session whether he travels to the north-east.
Alonso also faces the media on Friday afternoon. His pre-match press conference will bring his latest fitness and injury update.
Quenda’s versatility would be hard to replace
Quenda arrived from Sporting Lisbon on a contract that runs until 2034. Chelsea described him as a player used in the wide attacking roles and at wing-back. He played 54 games in his first season at Sporting as they won the Double. He was voted Primeira Liga Young Player of the Season in 2025.
His Chelsea career has been slower to take off. His only league start came in the 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham, when he was picked ahead of Estêvão. Joao Pedro was injured, so Alonso played Morgan Rogers through the middle instead of Danny Welbeck.
The gamble did not pay off. Sky Sports pundit Daniel Sturridge said after the game that the manager had got it wrong by playing Quenda.
Chelsea responded by beating Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on 31 October. Rogers and Cole Palmer scored. Mike Penders kept his first Premier League clean sheet.
Chelsea’s absentee list keeps growing
Quenda would join a crowded treatment room. Captain Reece James is not expected back until January after knee surgery. Joao Pedro, Maxence Lacroix and Jorrel Hato are also out.
Jamie Gittens hurt his ankle with England Under-21s last month. He was expected to miss a few weeks when Alonso gave an update about two weeks ago.
There is uncertainty elsewhere too. Moises Caicedo did not appear during the 15 minutes of Wednesday’s session that media were allowed to watch. Aaron Anselmino took part. Emi Martinez trained this week wearing a protective mask.
Without Quenda, Alonso’s attacking options would shrink further for the last game before the international break. Sunderland sit bottom of the Premier League, and Chelsea will be expected to take points.
UK viewers can watch the match live on Sky Sports.
References
| Xabi Alonso suffers fresh Chelsea injury concern as another star misses training (Football.London (via AOL)) |
| Chelsea 0-2 Tottenham: Mike Penders error and Mathys Tel earn Spurs rare victory at Stamford Bridge as Cole P… (Sky Sports) |
| Sunderland vs Chelsea preview: TV channel, kick-off time and how to watch (Chelsea FC) |
| Chelsea attacker facing fitness race to feature in Sunderland clash – reports (Sunderland Echo) |
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