Nuno Tavares looks set to remain with main squad

Benfica are about to completing their preseason schedule and will be heading back to Portugal from America to prepare for next weekends Super Cup were they will face arch rivals Sporting. Bruno Lage has said all pre-season that he prefers to work with a smaller main squad then what has been seen in seasons past. One youngster that looks set to open the season with the main squad is 19 year old wing back Nuno Tavares. Tavares has been used on both the right and left back positions during pre-season games and should be slotted in as the back up left back to starter Alex Grimaldo. Tavares split last season between Benfica B and the clubs under 19 entry in the UEFA Youth League. Tavares appeared in 19 total games, producing three helpers. Club fans need not worry as Tavares will be set up to play occasional games with the B squad to maintain his match fitness.

The all time appearance leaders in Benfica history

This blog takes a look into Benfica's history of player appearances in all competitions, the Top 40 players of all time in Benfica's over 100 years of history are below.

1.  Nene (1968-1986) Total Appearances: 575
2.  Antonio Veloso (1980-1995) Total Appearances: 538
3.  Luisao (2003-2018) Total Appearances: 538
4.  Mario Coluna (1954-1970) Total Appearances: 525
5.  Humberto Coelho (1968-1975) (1977-1984) Total Appearances: 498
6.  Sheu (1972-1989) Total Appearances: 487
7.  Manuel Bento (1972-1990) Total Appearances: 465
8.  Antonio Simoes (1961-1975) Total Appearances: 447
9.  Eusebio (1960-1975) Total Appearances: 440
10.  Cavem (1954-1970) Total Appearances: 416
11.  Francisco Ferreira (1938-1952) Total Appearances: 398
12.  Nuno Gomes (1997-2000) (2002-2011) Total Appearances: 398
13.  Toni (1968-1981) Total Appearances: 392
14.  Bastos Lopes (1972-1987) Total Appearances: 391
15.  Jose Aguias (1950-1963) Total Appearances: 383
16.  Jose Augusto (1959-1970)  Total Appearances: 369
17.  Alberto Pereira (1954-1967) Total Appearances: 359
18.  Fernando Cruz (1959-1970) Total Appearances: 344
19.  Francisco Albino (1932-1945) Total Appearances: 343
20.  Maxi Pereira (2007-2015) Total Appearances: 333



21.  Rodrigo Pipi (1942-1954) Total Appearances: 320
22.  Gaspar Pinto (1934-1946) Total Appearances: 318
23.  Carlos Manuel (1979-1988) Total Appearances: 318
24.  Minervino Pietra (1976-1986) Total Appearances: 313
25.  Fernando Chalana (1975-1984) (1987-1990) Total Appearances: 310
26.  Diamantino Miranda (1978-1980) (1982-1990) Total Appearances: 302
27.  Joao Pinto (1992-2000) Total Appearances: 302
28.  Arsenio Duarte (1943-1955) Total Appearances: 299
29.  Jose Henrique (1966-1979) Total Appearances: 299
30.  Oscar Cardozo (2007-2014) Total Appearances: 293
31.  Vitor Paneira (1988-1995) Total Appearances: 288
32.  Angelo Martins (1952-1965) Total Appearances: 285
33.  Artur Santos (1950-1961) Total Appearances: 284
34.  Francisco Moreira (1944-1954) Total Appearances: 266
35.  Eduardo Salvio (2010-2011) (2012-2018) Total Appearances: 266
36.  Antonio Martins (1938-1947) Total Appearances: 265
37.  Alfredo Valadas (1934-1944) Total Appearances: 264
38.  Silvino Louro (1986-1994) Total Appearances: 263
39.  Alvaro Magalhaes (1981-1990) Total Appearances: 261
40.  Jose Torres (1959-1971) Total Appearances: 259

Benfica linked with Sevilla keeper

Benfica continue their search for a keeper and have now turned their attention to Sevilla netminder Sergio Rico. Rico spent last season on loan in the Premier League with Fulham appearing in 29 league games and posting five clean sheets on the second worst team in the English league. The 25 year old Rico has come through Sevilla's youth ranks and appeared in one game for the Spanish national side. Benfica have been looking to sign a goaltender all summer to battle with current number one Vladchodimos and were a failed physical away from acquiring Juventus' Mattia Perin Benfica have also been recently linked to Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet and Robin Olsen from Roma.