New Chelsea signing Geovany Quenda has been called up to the senior Portugal national squad for the first time.
Head coach Roberto Martinez has selected the uncapped teenage sensation in his squad for their Nations League quarter-final against Denmark next week.
Quenda will join the rest of the team and potentially his soon-to-be Chelsea teammate Pedro Neto, who has also made the squad for the upcoming matches.
The youngster has enjoyed a superb breakthrough season with Sporting in Portugal, where he has been featured 43 times in all competitions for the club.
In that time, he has scored twice and assisted eight times, with over 3000 minutes of senior football under his belt this term.
He was predominantly used as the right wing-back in a three-at-the-back system when Ruben Amorim, who has since taken over at Manchester United, was in charge at the Jose Alvalade Stadium but has more recently been deployed as one of the attacking wingers in a four-back formation.
Speaking in a presser, Roberto Martinez praised Quenda’s ability.
“At 17, being in the national team shows his potential,” said coach Roberto Martinez, insisting the youngster’s age was [not an issue].
Martinez pointed out that the reason he chose the new Chelsea star was due to his quality, commitment, and hard work.
Another player who returned to the squad is Manchester City’s Ruben Dias. The 27-year-old had been sidelined with a muscular injury but recovered just in time to link up with the squad.
Portugal play Denmark on March 20 in Copenhagen and at return fixture at home in Lisbon the following Sunday.
Portugal Squad in full:
Goalkeepers
Diogo Costa, Rui Silva, Jose Sa
Defenders
Diogo Dalot, Nelson Semedo, Nuno Mendes, Nuno Tavares, Gonçalo Inacio, Ruben Dias, Antonio Silva, Renato Veiga.
Midfielders
Joao Palhinha, Ruben Neves, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix.
Forwards
Francisco Trincao, Francisco Conceicao, Pedro Neto, Geovany Quenda, Rafael Leao, Diogo Jota, Goncalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo.
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