Italian club Napoli are being linked with Benfica youngster Tomas Tavares according to reports coming from Sky Sports Italia. The 19 year old right back is seen as a possible replacement for current back up Faouzi Ghoulam. Tavares made his first team debut this season and is another product from the clubs fame Seixal academy. Tavares has appeared in 25 games across all competitions for the club this season but has yet to record a goal or an assist and has been forced into action due to regular starter Andre Almeida battling an injury bug on multiple occasions this season. Although no dollar values have been released, Benfica is notorious for wanting top dollar for their academy players and Tavares will be no different.
Benfica look to snap out of a funk that started in February as they travel south to take on Portiminense in Week 26 action. Benfica blew their chance to take sole possession of top spot in the league last week with a scoreless draw against Tondela which was then followed by harsh criticism from the clubs President. Bruno Lage has asked the players to dig deep for today's encounter. Benfica will
play Portimonense today
at 7:00pm WEST
and
they will dress 20 players from the list below.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin
Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares, Andre Almeida, Jardel
Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic
Benfica are once again being linked with Uruguayan center back Gaston Silva who currently is with Argentinian club Independiente. The 26 year old center back is currently owed wages by the Argentinian club and is moving to void his current contract due to the situation, which in turn would make him available to sign with any club on a free transfer. The Uruguayan International last played in Europe in 2017 as a member of Italian club Torino and also appeared for Spanish side Granada. Silva has appeared in 20 games across all competitions for Independiente chipping in one assist. Silva is also a regular call up for his country's national side and was a member of the Uruguayan team that knocked out Portugal from World Cup 2018 in the round of 16.
