Benfica have released their squad for
their third round Taca de Portugal game against Cova da Piedade this upcoming Friday. Benfica play there first game of the Taca tomorrow at 8:30pm WEST on the road. They will select 18 players from the list below at the game to dress.
Keepers- Ivan Zlobin, Mile Svilar
Defenders- Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Jardel, Tomas Tavares, Nuno Tavares
Midfielders- Pizzi, Caio Lucas, Franco Cervi, Fejsa, Gedson Fernandes, Gabriel, Florentino, Samaris, David Tavares
Forwards- Seferovic, Raul de Tomas, Jota, Carlos Vinicius
Benfica's former Seixal academy prodigy Joao Felix has been named as one of the twenty finalists for this years 2019 Golden Boy award. The Golden Boy is awarded to the best player that is under 21 in Europe's top tier leagues and was started by Italian publication Tuttosport in 2003. The 19 year old Joao Felix had a terrific campaign with Benfica last season, appearing in 43 games across all competitions, Felix scored 20 goals while setting up 11. Felix's 2018/19 exploits caught the attention of Europe's top clubs and earned the youngster a move to Atletico Madrid this summer for a club record €126M. Felix will be looking to be the second Benfica player to win the award after Renato Sanches took home the prize in 2016. Felix is considered one of the favourites to be crowned the winner this year along with Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt and Dortmund's Jadon Sancho. The Golden Boy award will be announced on December 16.
Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira is back in Portugal after spending the past week in Angola with former players Luisao and Pedro Mantorras. LFV is set to announce a new contract with 20 year old youngster Jota and the club at some point over the next week and will then turn his attention to signing a new contract with left back Alex Grimaldo. Grimaldo has been with the club since the winter transfer window of 2016 and is a vital piece of Benfica's current squad. Grimaldo's current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2021 and Benfica are looking to add a two year extension with the player.
Benfica then intend to discuss contract extensions with starting center backs Ruben Dias and Ferro. Benfica are hoping to increase Ruben Dias' buy out clause from the current €66M to at least €88M as some of Europe's bigger clubs circle the player. Benfica are also interested in increasing the buy out clause with current manager Bruno Lage who is signed until the summer of 2023 but currently holds a buy out clause of only €10M and of course the better the club performs the more interest outside clubs will have in acquiring Lage for there own clubs. LFV has a busy few weeks ahead as he looks to protect the clubs assets when the time comes to seek financial reward.
