Richard Rios has been a bust for Benfica, now what?

When Benfica splashed a club record €27 million for Richard Rios this summer, expectations soared. The 25-year-old Colombian midfielder, fresh from impressive Copa America displays, was hailed as a dynamic addition to bolster the Eagles' midfield. His debut in the Super Cup, where Benfica clinched a trophy, hinted at his potential with a solid 84% pass accuracy and strong duels won.

Yet, after 12 games of action for the club across all competitions, Rios's tenure has been a resounding bust, failing to live up to the hype of his arrival from Palmeiras. Rios has logged over 1,000 minutes but has yet to contribute a goal or an assist and has left heads scratching with his poor spot kicks.

Fans have voiced frustration, labeling him "overrated" and questioning the investment, especially after moving fan favourite Florentino to Burnley before the window closed.

Adaptation from Brazilian to Portuguese football, coupled with high pressure, has evidently stifled his flair. Benfica must prioritize patience and strategy. Grant him consistent starts in a central midfield role where he thrived at Palmeiras and allow more attacking freedom rather than focusing on defensive duties. 

Newly hired coach Jose Mourinho may need to look at removing Rios from the starting XI and bringing him on as a substitute until he feels that Rios deserves to return to the XI. While off the field, cultural integration programs and confidence boosting sessions could help with strengthening his mental state.

Benfica's investment at this time looks like a bust, but it is only September. We are hoping that Rios shows what made the club decide to spend the record haul on him, let's hope we are not beating the same drum come March