Not even Quenda did this: Flávio shines at Sporting, beats Chelsea winger | 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 racked up three goals and one assist in 349 minutes.

The youngster’s breakthrough gained even more attention after 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 No. 58 shirt is, in fact, more productive than the one produced by Geovany Quenda at the start of 2024/25. Then 17 years old, the current Chelsea player also started Sporting’s first five matches, but scored only one goal and did not register a single assist. Quenda had played 443 minutes, more than Flávio, but posted lower attacking numbers.

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

For now, the youngster has helped the Lions to a positive start: four wins and one draw in the five matches he has played, 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.