Not even Quenda did this: Flávio Gonçalves bursts onto the scene | OneFootball

Flávio Gonçalves is enjoying a hugely impactful start to the season at Sporting. At 19, the winger has started all five matches played by the Lions so far and has already recorded three goals and one assist in 349 minutes.

The youngster’s rise has drawn even more attention following Pedro Gonçalves’ move to Fiorentina, completed on the final day of the Italian transfer window. Without Pote, he took over on the left wing and seized the opportunity to establish himself in Rui Borges’ plans, moving ahead of Jesse Derry and Nestory Irankunda in the pecking order.

The start to the season by the player wearing the No. 58 shirt is even more productive than the one achieved by Geovany Quenda at the start of 2024/25. Then 17, the current Chelsea player also started Sporting’s first five matches, but scored only once and did not register a single assist. Quenda had played 443 minutes, more than Flávio, but posted weaker attacking numbers.

The comparison becomes even more interesting because of the path Quenda went on to build after that initial run of games. The winger became one of Sporting’s standout bets, increased his market value, and eventually joined Chelsea in a transfer that brought 50 million euros into the club’s coffers. Flávio, meanwhile, is now beginning to take his first steps as a genuine first-team option and is already generating similar expectations.

For now, the youngster has contributed to a positive start for the Lions: four wins and one draw in the five matches he has featured in, against Rio Ave, Nacional, Estrela da Amadora, Vitória de Guimarães, and Alverca. The numbers have already led Sporting to prepare a contract renewal, with his current deal running until June 2030.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.