Thursday, July 30, 2020

Benfica find out possible opponents in UEFA

Benfica Blog
Benfica have found out who their possible opponents in the Champions League 3rd round qualifying stage will be and who they will avoid as they look to advance to the windfall of the group stage. Benfica will have the status of top seed and will avoid clubs Dynamo Kiev Gent, Besiktas in the stage with their possible opponents coming from Krasnodar, PAOK, Rapid Vienna, Rennes, AZ Alkmaar, Lokomotiv Zagreb and Viktoria Plzen. Benfica will still need a playoff to reach the group stage after the 3rd round qualifier but in a change from previous years due to COVID-19 the 3rd round qualifier will be a one off game while the playoff game will be the normal two legs.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Benfica wants to take Cabrera from Espanyol

Benfica Blog
Benfica are being linked with Espanyol central defender Leonardo Cabrera according to reports coming from Portugal's dailies. With Espanyol's relegation for next season, Benfica are hoping to land the 29 year old defender from the squad at an affordable price tag with Espanyol's asking price said to be in the €15M range. Cabrera joined Espanyol from Getafe during the recent winter transfer window for €9M and appeared in 38 games across all competitions for both clubs. 
Newly appointed manager Jorge Jesus is said to be the driving force behind the clubs interest in landing the Uruguayan defender who he tried to bring unsuccessfully to former club Flamengo during the 2019 season. Cabrera's strength in aerial duels would be an asset at the club and he could just be the ideal partner for Ruben Dias next season.

Monday, July 27, 2020

Benfica needs to find out what to do with returnees

Benfica need to find out what to do with returnees
The seasons are ending around Europe and Benfica are set to receive an influx of players returning from loan spells at other clubs and will need to find out exactly what they will do with each player going forward.

With new manager Jorge Jesus on the horizon some players may fit into Jesus's plans while others may be sent off permanently. I take a look at some key players returning to the club and what may happen going forward.

Diogo Goncalves - returning from Famalicao

Total Appearances: 34; Goals: 7; Assists: 10; Minutes: 2510

The 23 year old Goncalves may be the most likely to remain with Jesus at the club, with high expectations over the past few years, Goncalves finally put it all together while at Famalicao this season.

Filip Krovinovic - returning from West Brom

Total Appearances: 43; Goals: 3; Assists: 4; Minutes: 2427

Krovinovic was a key contributor to West Brom's climb back to the Premiership but without a buy clause in his deal he returns to Benfica, look for West Brom to look to make the move permanent.

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Benfica set to announce Cavani deal this week

Benfica Blog
In a huge turn of events, a deal that went from being dead and not happening is now close to being finalized this week between Benfica and Uruguayan and former PSG striker Edinson Cavani. According to reports coming from Uruguay news outlet Subrayado, Cavani's agent has been in Lisbon negotiating a deal for the 33 year olds move to the club since Tuesday. The deal is said to be for three seasons with an annual salary of €5M per season and an additional €10M in objectives per season. The objectives should include the clubs performance in the Champions League, to the club winning the Portuguese League title. Jorge Jesus wants Cavani to be the benchmark of Benfica's attack next season and the move would be a huge scoop for President Luis Filipe Vieira in making a statement not only in Portugal but also in Europe. Cavani who spent the past seven seasons with French club PSG would be the first key piece added to the club with the arrival of Jorge Jesus but will not be the last.

Friday, July 24, 2020

Benfica final league season squad for Lisbon Derby

Benfica Blog
Benfica finish the league season with a Lisbon derby against cross town rival Sporting with just pride on the line for the club as the club ends the season in second spot. Benfica will take on Sporting tomorrow at 9:15pm WEST at the Luz and will dress 20 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Jardel, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares, Andre Almeida, Joao Ferreira

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Zivkovic, Gabriel, Julian Weigl, Frano Cervi

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic, Goncalo Ramos

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Benfica out of the Cavani race

Benfica Blog
Uruguayan International Edinson Cavani's representatives have had discussions with Benfica over the potential move of the 33 year old free agent striker to the club next season and after the meetings ended, Benfica have come to the conclusion that Cavani's asking price of €20M per season is just to rich for the clubs coffers. The former PSG man is garnering interest from a variety of Europe's big clubs but his current salary demands will whittle the competition to just a rare few clubs. Benfica are looking to land a striker for next season with Sevilla's Carlos Fernandez and Rio Ave's Taremi's names also linked with the club.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Gilberto of Fluminense linked with move to Benfica

Benfica Blog
Jorge Jesus arrival at Benfica has started the rumour mill of players that are linked with a move to the Lisbon side from Brazil's Campeonato. The latest player to be linked with Benfica is Fluminense's right back Gilberto. Brazil's Jornal O Dia is reporting Jesus was interested in moving the 27 year old Gilberto to his old club Flamengo and with his move back to Benfica for next season, Gilberto remains high on the coaches want list. Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira has been given a list of reinforcements by Jesus and Gilberto's name is said to be near the top. Fluminense currently hold 50% of the players rights with Fiorentina holding the remainder and any move by Benfica would most likely involve the purchase of the player outright. Gilberto has spent the past three and a half seasons in Brazil after appearing in only 21 games in Europe split between Fiorentina, Hellas Verona and Latina Calcio. A move by Benfica for Gilberto would see current starter Andre Almeida move into a back up role with the club and have youngster Tomas Tavares shift down to play important minutes in his development with the clubs B squad. Gilberto joins the names of Bruno Henrique, Gerson, Leo Pereira and Lucas Verissimo as Brazilian league players linked with Benfica move.

Monday, July 20, 2020

Benfica announce squad for Aves clash

Benfica Blog
Benfica who can not move from their current second spot in the league may have a different look when they take on Aves to their starting eleven and the club plays out the season. Benfica will take on Aves tomorrow at 9:15pm WEST and will dress 20 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Jardel, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares, Andre Almeida

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Zivkovic, Gabriel, Paulo Bernardo

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic, Goncalo Ramos

Slimani linked with a Jorge Jesus reunion

Benfica Blog
The move of Jorge Jesus to Benfica has already started the rumours of the manager being linked to former players, with the latest player to be linked with joining Jesus is former Sporting striker Islam Slimani. Jesus has always been a big fan of a two striker system in which one of the strikers is a more mobile moving striker as was the partnerships of Jonas/Lima, Gabigol/Henrique from past Jesus clubs. Slimani who was sold by Sporting to Leicester City in the summer of 2016 has spent the past three seasons on loan at Newcastle, Fenerbahce and Monaco and has a valid contract which will not expire with City until the summer of 2021. The English side should have no issue loaning the player out for a fourth straight season if Benfica want to bring the player in but the main stumbling block will be Slimani's €4.5M annual salary and if Benfica would be open to pay that sum for the 32 year old striker.
Slimani appeared in 82 games for Sporting across all competitions, scoring 32 goals with 10 helpers and was a member of Sporting's 2016 Super Cup and 2015 Taca de Portugal winning sides.

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Benfica dream of acquiring PSG striker Cavani

Benfica Blog
A big name that is now being mentioned around Portugal with a link to Benfica is former PSG striker Edinson Cavani who is available on a free transfer after departing the Paris side. With big changes expected at Benfica next season with the arrival of Jorge Jesus, Benfica is looking to add a more established striker up front and Cavani's name is the dream that the club would like to make a reality. Jesus had Cavani on his short list while Flamengo's manager and his move to Benfica has not changed the managers plans to take a run at the Uruguayan international. The 33 year old striker has spent the past seven seasons with PSG where he has appeared in 301 games across all competitions, scoring 200 goals while setting up another 43. Cavani would require a large investment by Benfica with his salary demands being in the range of €10M per season, which is a huge stumbling block for the Portuguese side. Alternatively Benfica are also being linked with Sevilla's 24 year old striker Carlos Fernandez who spent the season on loan with Granada and the move would work better within the clubs budget.

Friday, July 17, 2020

Jorge Jesus reported to have signed three year deal to return to Benfica

Benfica Blog
Reports from Portugal have Jorge Jesus set to leave Flamengo and rejoin Benfica to take over the managerial role at the club for next season. In true Jesus fashion the report states that Jesus agreed to terms with Benfica without informing Flamengo of his interest in leaving the Brazilian side. Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira made Jesus one of  his primary targets to take over at the club next season and is set to give Jesus a war chest of close to €100M to overhaul the current squads roster. One of Jesus's first moves is said to be bringing in three of his current Flamengo players in Bruno Henrique, Gerson and Leo Pereira (Read Here) as his Benfica project gets underway. 

Jesus' Flamengo era was one of the more successful in club history with the Portuguese manager winning more titles (5) to total losses (4) in 56 games behind the helm of Flamengo. Jesus is set to depart Rio de Janeiro for Lisbon in the coming days and should be announced as the clubs new manager early next week.
Jesus is set to earn between €4M-€5M per year as part of his new three year contract and Benfica will pay Flamengo his release clause which is said to be in the €1M-€2M range. Jesus returns to a club which he lead to three league titles and ten total trophies during his six year reign from 2009 to 2015.

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Benfica still have chance for trophy with Taca win

Benfica Blog
With Benfica's slim title hopes dashed after FC Porto defeated Sporting yesterday to clinch the Portuguese League, the Eagles can still end the season on a high by defeating the league Champions in the Taca de Portugal Final which will take place on August 1st in Coimbra. Benfica will be looking to earn their 30th Taca and make amends after a disappointing run of form cost the club a seven point lead that they held at the end of January. The Taca could see the end of many players careers with Benfica as President Luis Filipe Vieira looks to name a new manager for next season and completely remake the squad.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Jorge Jesus return to Benfica could see trio of Flamengo players follow

Benfica Blog
According to reports from TVI24, a move back to Benfica by Jorge Jesus could see a trio of current Flamengo players follow the former manager back to Portugal. Jesus remains Luis Filipe Vieira's first choice to manage the club next season with the Benfica President ready to spend on reinforcements to improve the club not only at home but on an international level as he looks to appease Jesus to make the move. TVI24 reports that central defender Leo Pereira, midfielder Gerson and winger Bruno Henrique are the three Flamengo players that would follow Jesus to Portugal if he elects to return back to Benfica.



Monday, July 13, 2020

Benfica call up 22 for the Guimaraes game

Benfica Blog
Benfica get set to take on Guimaraes on their home turf as they look to keep what little title hopes they have left intact. After dropping points once again in last weeks draw against Famalicao, current league leaders FC Porto need just one point out of their last three games to claim the league title. Benfica will take on Guimaraes tomorrow at 9:30pm WEST and will dress 20 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Jardel, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares, Andre Almeida

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl, Zivkovic, Gabriel

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Benfica in talks to bring back Garay

Benfica Blog
Benfica are in talks with free agent and former Benfica center back Ezequiel Garay about a return back to the Lisbon club for next season. With the likely sale of center back Ruben Dias during the off season and with Jardel looking set to call it a career after this current season, Benfica are looking to add a veteran presence within the squad and are already familiar with the 33 year old center back. Garay was a member of Benfica for three seasons from the summer of 2011 until the summer of 2014, appearing in 136 games for the club across all competitions and was a key member of Benfica's 2013/14 league champion squad as well as a two time Europa League finalist. Garay has spent time with Zenit and Valencia since his departure and his veteran presence would be a key addition to the clubs new manager whoever that may be.

Friday, July 10, 2020

Benfica set to earn more cash from RDT sale

Benfica Blog
Benfica are set to receive an additional €1.5M from Spanish side Espanyol from clauses that were added as part of the sale of Raul de Tomas by the Lisbon side in January. De Tomas has appeared in more then ten total games and scored five times since arriving, clinching Benfica the bonus money on top of the €20M that was paid to acquire the 25 year old striker. Benfica will also receive as part of the original deal an additional 20% on any future sale by Espanyol, which could actually come very soon with the Catalan club heading to the second division next season after being relegated. Espanyol are also set to return Facundo Ferreyra back to Benfica at the end of the season with the strikers 18 month loan spell coming to an end.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Benfica squad for Famalicao encounter

Benfica Blog
Benfica travels north to take on Famalicao in Week 31 action as they look to build on last weeks impressive win over Boavista and continue the chase for top spot in Portugal as the season winds down. Nelson Verissimo will continue to manage the squad until seasons end on an intern basis and he has announced his second squad selection. Benfica will take on Famalicao tomorrow at 9:30pm WEST and will dress 20 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Jardel, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares, Andre Almeida

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl, Zivkovic, Gabriel

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Benfica want French center back from Barcelona

Benfica Blog
Benfica have added their name along with other European clubs who have interest in Barcelona's U20 French international Jean-Clair Todibo. Barcelona acquired Todibo from Toulouse in the winter of 2019 and loaned the center back to German side Schalke this past January were he appeared in 13 games across all competitions. Schalke declined to pick up the €25M buy option that was attached with the loan but Barcelona are still looking to move on from the youngster which could be had for around €18M. Benfica are weighting their options with the likely departure of current starting center back Ruben Dias during the summer transfer window and have also been linked to center backs Robin Koch of Freiburg and Ruben Semedo of Olympiakos.

Monday, July 6, 2020

Benfica not giving up on Jorge Jesus return

Benfica Blog
Benfica who are looking for a manager to replace the departed Bruno Lage have been linked to a variety of available managers but the apple of Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira's eye remains former Benfica man Jorge Jesus who is currently employed by Brazilian side Flamengo. Jesus managed Benfica from the summer of 2009 to the summer of 2015 leading the club to three League Titles, five League Cups, a Super Cup, a Taca de Portugal, two Europa League finals while managing to win 225 games from 321 managed games during his spell with the club. The stumbling block that Benfica face in acquiring Jesus is that he recently signed a new contract with Flamengo until the summer of 2021 that will pay him an annual salary of €4M but this has not stopped Vieira from sending club representatives to Brazil to discuss the possibility of bringing the 65 year old back home to Portugal. One of Jesus' main concerns with the current club is that he wants to have a squad that is competitive in Europe, Vieira will need to open the purse strings to appease the return of JJ.

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Benfica linked with a move for Danilo

Benfica Blog
Benfica are one of three clubs linked with a move for Ajax's 21 year old Brazilian striker Danilo with the other two clubs being mentioned by Italy's CalcioNapoli24 being Tottenham and Napoli. Danilo who joined Ajax from Santos in the summer of 2017 has made only four appearances for Ajax's main squad but that has not stopped the European clubs from inquiring about the youngsters services. Danilo has scored 24 goals in 42 appearances for Ajax's U21 side over the past two seasons and would be a welcome addition to Benfica who are looking to add talented youth to their squad as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season. No details at this time have been released of what it would take to land Danilo with the Lisbon side for next season.

Friday, July 3, 2020

Verissimo reveals first squad list for Boavista match

Benfica Blog
Benfica goes into its new era post Bruno Lage as they get set to take on Boavista in Week 30 action looking to not only save what is left of their slim championship hopes but also to save face of a poor run of form that has cost the club in more ways then one. Nelson Verissimo leads the squad in an intern role as they get set to take on Boavista tomorrow at home at 9:15pm WEST. Benfica will dress 20 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Jardel, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares, Andre Almeida

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl, Zivkovic, Gabriel


Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Benfica will take on Porto in Coimbra for Taca Final

Benfica Blog
The Portuguese Football Federation has announced that Coimbra's Estadio Cidade de Coimbra will host the Taca de Portugal Final between Benfica and FC Porto on August 1st to wrap up the 2019/20 Portuguese league season. This is the first time the Taca final will be played away from Jamor since the 1982/83 installment was held at Porto's Antas stadium. The FPF has also announced that the season commencing Super Cup which would also pit the same clubs is suspended and will not be played at the start of the 2020/21 season but the federation could consider holding the Final at a later date in the season.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

The breakdown of Benfica's contract termination with Lage

Benfica Blog
Benfica and Bruno Lage have come to an agreement over the remaining time left on Lage's contract after the club and manager agreed to part ways after a poor run of form by Benfica which looks to have cost the club the league championship this season. When Lage renewed his contract in December he was signed until the summer of 2024 with an annual salary of €2M, which means that the club is on the hook for €8M in wages owed to Lage over the next four years. Benfica will continue to pay Lage his salary until he is hired by another club but the agreement states that depending on Lage's salary earned at set club, the team will pay an difference under the €2M that was agreed in December. The agreement could end up costing Benfica zero dollars if Lage who is represented by Jorge Mendes' Gestifute agency is hired by another club with an annual salary of €2M or more euro and Lage continues to earn the €2M or more over the next 4 years ending his contract with the Lisbon side. Benfica have installed assistant Nelson Verissimo as intern manager of the club as it looks to find Lage's replacement over the coming weeks.