Lucas Verissimo departure from Benfica looks imminent

Benfica defender Lucas Verissimo looks set to depart the club during the summer transfer window as the soon to be 28 year old looks for more playing time that he is unlikely to get remaining with the Lisbon side.

Benfica are said to be looking for an outright sale of Verissimo as they look to recuperate the €6.5M they paid to acquire him in the summer of 2021. Verissimo's name has been linked with a host of Brazilian sides from Flamengo to Corinthians but Benfica's likely asking price of €10M may be too rich for these clubs.

Verissimo currently sits fourth on Benfica's depth chart at center back and with Tomas Araujo and Joao Victor returning from their respective loans the competition will be high to maintain that role, making Verissimo's departure is highly likely. 

Benfica continue search for left back in Dutch League

With Benfica still unable to secure an agreement with AZ Alkmaar for left back Milos Kerkez, the club is looking at alternative options to replace departing starter Alex Grimaldo within the Dutch League and are said to have inquired about Twente left back Gijs Smal.

The 25 year old appeared in 44 games across all competitions last season, scoring twice while providing eleven helpers and as is said to be available for around €10M. Benfica is hoping to have their future starting left back in place before the club returns from their off season and starts to prepare on the field for next season.

Benfica should look to Inter Milan for midfield depth

Benfica needs to add more depth to their midfield and one player that could add value is Inter Milan defensive midfielder Marcelo Brozovic. The 30 year old Croatian international has a good work rate and vision while providing the tough presence in the middle of the pitch.

With the potential departure of Florentino in the summer transfer window Benfica will need to fill the youngsters spot and the experienced Brozovic would be an excellent choice in the starting XI or off the bench while providing the club with more time to groom a younger version from their famed Seixal academy.

Brozovic has been at Inter since the summer of 2016 and although his first few seasons at the Italian side were disappointing, Brozovic came into his own with a position switch from attacking midfielder to defensive. Brozovic also provides manager Schmidt with a versatile player that can play a variety of positions at the club. 

Benfica Final Season stats for the 2022/23 season

Benfica's 2022/23 season has come to an end and the club captured the 2022/23 Portuguese League crown, their only trophy of the season but an important one that saw the club land an automatic spot in the lucrative Champions League group stage for next season as they hope to surpass their back to back quarter-final runs over the past two seasons.

We take a look at the total stats across all competitions for both the club and players during this past campaign.

CLUB STATS

Overall club record: 42 wins, 7 draws, 5 losses

League Record: 28 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses

Champions League Record: 10 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss

Taca de Portugal: 3 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss

Taca da Liga: 2 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses

Total Goals Scored by club 131 goals for, 40 goals against

League Goals: 82 goals scored, 20 goals against

Champions League Goals: 38 goals scored, 15 goals against

Taca de Portugal: 5 goals scored, 2 goals against

Taca de Liga: 6 goals scored, 3 goals against

 

PLAYER STATS

Most Goals Across All Competitions: Goncalo Ramos 27

Most Goals League: Goncalo Ramos 19

Most Goals Champions League: Joao Mario 6

Most Assists Across All Competitions: Alex Grimaldo 16

Most Assists League: Alex Grimaldo 9

Most Assists Champions League: Alex Grimaldo 5

Most Appearances Across All Competitions: Alex Grimaldo, Vlachodimos 54

Most Minutes Played Across All Competitions: Vlachodimos 4888 

Most Yellow Cards Across All Competitions: Otamendi 15

Most Red Cards Across All Competitions: Alexander Bah 1 

Most Sub ins Across All Competitions: Petar Musa 36

Most Sub outs Across All Competitions: Goncalo Ramos 39

Benfica could set record for Paranaense keeper

Benfica could set an all time mark for the purchase of a keeper if they move forward with the acquisition of Atletico Paranaense keeper Bento, with the Brazilian side looking for at least €10M to give up the services of the 24 year old keeper while maintaining 20% of the players pass from a future sale out of Lisbon.

Benfica are looking for a bit more experience in goal behind current starter Vlachodimos and have been linked to a variety of keepers but Bento is the name that has been most linked to the club over the past week. Bento has appeared in ten league games this season, keeping three clean sheets to date and the purchase for €10M would set a club record buy for the position.

Benfica continue to be linked to keepers

Benfica have been linked to a pair of keepers in the past week with both Bari shot stopper Elia Caprile and Athletico Paranaense's Bento having gathered the interest of the Lisbon club. Benfica are looking to bolster their depth during the summer transfer window and see the pair as potential starters in the future.

The pair of stoppers both play regularly for their respective clubs and the club feels they would push current number one keeper Vlachodimos, who had an excellent season for the League Champions. Benfica could lean to the 21 year old Caprile over Bento, as not only is he the younger of the two but he could also be had at a cheaper price.

Benfica should make a move for Casa Pia left back

Benfica should consider pursuing Casa Pia left-back Leonardo Lelo this summer as a replacement for long time starter Alex Grimaldo who is departing to Germany and leaving a gaping hole in the clubs starting XI for next season. The 23-year-old Portuguese player has been making waves in the Liga with his impressive performances and is a player who could snag the open spot on the clubs squad.

Lelo is known for his pace, dribbling skills and ability to deliver accurate crosses into the box. These attributes make him an ideal candidate for Benfica's attacking style of play. Moreover, Lelo's age makes him a valuable long-term investment for Benfica. He still has plenty of room for growth and development as a player, which could benefit both himself and the club in the future.

Lelo appeared in 37 games across all competitions for Casa Pia this season, scoring once while proving six helpers in 2571 minutes of action.

Benfica look at Girona striker Castellanos

A day after landing the most expensive signing in Portuguese League history when the club acquired Orkun Kokcu yesterday from Feyenoord for €25M with an additional €5M in adds on the club is now being linked with Girona striker Taty Castellanos according to reports from CNN Portugal.

The 24 year old Castellanos has spent the season on loan with Girona from MLS club New York City FC and has shone for the Spanish side scoring 13 goals, with four in one game, while providing one helper for the tenth placed club. Castellanos is said to be valued at €10M.

Benfica in spot to compete in lucrative Club World Cup

Benfica are in a pole position for a place at the lucrative Club World Cup which is set to take place in 2025 at a currently unknown host country. The new FIFA tournament will showcase 32 clubs from around the world and be played every four years going forward.

UEFA will be awarded twelve spots at the competition with the Champions League winners from 2021 to 2024 automatically qualifying for the competition and the next eight spots going to the best ranked clubs over a four year period (2021 to 2024) with no more then two clubs representing one country with the exception of Champions League winners.

Benfica currently sit in one of the eight best spots to qualify for the tournament with one year left before teams are made official. Currently Chelsea and Real Madrid have already qualified for the tournament from UEFA's zone after claiming the past two Champions League titles with one of Manchester City or Inter Milan set to claim the third spot.

The 32 team club tournament is said to have a prize pot of €50M to spread around the participating clubs based on performance and will feature eight groups of four clubs per group that will take place over the span of a month. Rivals FC Porto are on the cusp of the tournament also.

Florentino has become a wanted man in Europe

Benfica's Florentino Luis has become a wanted man according to reports coming out of Spanish newspaper Relevo, with several clubs vying for his signature. The 23 year-old midfielder had an impressive season for the Portuguese giants after a couple of loan spells away from the club and showcased his defensive abilities and composure on the ball under the tutelage of manager Roger Schmidt.

Florentino's performances have gained the attention, of AC Milan, Lyon and Aston Villa who are all reportedly interested in signing him. Despite being a young player, Florentino has already shown maturity beyond his years. He is comfortable playing in different positions across the midfield and can adapt to different tactical systems. His physicality and work rate make him an asset to any team.

Benfica are said to want €40M to move on from Florentino who has become a fundamental part of Roger Schmidt's system, appearing in 54 games across all competitions and has a contract with Benfica until the summer of 2027 with a buy clause of €120M.

Benfica could face Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in pre-season

Benfica have yet to release their pre-season schedule but information is starting to trickle in from abroad that the Lisbon side will be facing Basel in Switzerland in July and traveling to the Netherlands to take on Feyenoord. Benfica is also set to play in a summer tournament in the Algarve and on the table is the possibility of facing Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi club Al-Nassr. The four team tournament could also see Celta Vigo and Crystal Palace join into the mix.

Having seen the Portuguese league season end just one week ago today, Benfica are already in preparation for next year when they will kick off the season in the Super Cup against tomorrows winner of the Taca de Portugal, sometime in early August. Benfica have a direct route to the Champions League this year after winning the league title and should be able to get more friendlies into the schedule then in seasons past.

Can Benfica go with Youth League winners next season

Benfica has always been known for their exceptional youth academy and that academy proved their worth when they captured the UEFA Youth League title during the 2021/22 season. Two of the core pieces in that Championship run were the center back pairing of Antonio Silva and Tomas Araujo.

Antonio Silva made his first team debut with Benfica this season, one in which he cemented his role as a regular starter at the club and his performances did not go unnoticed as he landed himself a spot with Portugal at World Cup 2022. Tomas Araujo on the other hand spent the season on loan at Gil Vicente, were his fine performances went mostly under the radar as he applied his trade at a lower table club.

Silva and Araujo were a rock-solid pairing at the back throughout the youth tournament, making crucial tackles when needed. They also contributed to the attack scoring important goals in their run to the title. With Otamendi becoming a free agent, could Benfica turn to their Championship winning pair for next season. 

Its a Made in Seixal story that I would enjoy witnessing during the 2023/24 season. Lets make it happen