With the Portuguese league set to resume on June 4 and with FIFA having approved that a league may use up to five substitutes per game to close off the season, Benfica academy players could see their first set of action with the main club before seasons end.
We take a look at the most likely candidates that could make their debuts when the resumes.
Academy Players:
Tiago Dantas- Dantas made his first team appearance in the League Cup this season but has yet to play a league game for the main club, the talented 19 year old midfielder has been in the Benfica system since 2008.
Goncalo Ramos- The 18 year old striker has moved up the charts into one of the clubs better academy players and has been with the club since 2013, Ramos could add a Joao Felix type of play to the clubs attack.
AC Milan have turned up the heat on their pursuit of 20 year old midfielder Florentino Luis as the Italian club hopes to land the youngster during the summer transfer window. Milan are said to be set to offer Benfica a player on their current roster with Lucas Paqueta's name being mentioned as the most likely candidate to be part of the transaction and €15M cash to land Florentino. Milan have been trying to get Florentino to Italy since the winter transfer market and were trying to negotiate an 18 month loan with a €40M buy out clause attached but Benfica turned the move down as they felt the buyout clause was too low. Milan hope by adding the 22 year old attacking midfielder Paqueta as part of the deal this will entice Benfica to let Florentino join their club. Florentino has appeared in 15 games across all competitions for Benfica registering one assist while Paqueta has appeared in 19 games across all competitions for Milan also adding one assist.
The Portuguese Football Federation has set June 4 for league action to resume as they look to conclude the ten remaining games in the season. The Federation has informed both Benfica and FC Porto that the Taca de Portugal Final between both clubs would be played at an undetermined date and location once the league and the clubs are able to agree to a schedule. The Taca which is normally the final game of the Portuguese season and played at Jamor could be played before the seasons final games and due to Jamor Stadium not meeting the requirements set by the Directorate-General of Health. The Federation is looking for alternate stadiums to host the Final with Aveiro's Municipal Stadium and Algarve's Stadium mentioned as potential sites. Benfica will be looking to win their 30th Taca de Portugal title while playing in their 41st title game.
