Jesus says Helton deserves to be number one keeper

Benfica manager Jorge Jesus addressed the clubs goaltending change after the Rio Ave game that saw Helton Leite move into the number one role ahead of previous starter Vlachodimos over the past few weeks. Jesus stated that the club can only play one goalie and felt that Helton has earned the chance to be the clubs number one keeper over Vlachodimos who has been the clubs number one since his arrival in the summer of 2018. Jesus said that Vlachodimos' return to goal will all depend on the play of Helton and to date he feels that the 30 year old keeper has been solid in net for Benfica since taking over the role. The move for those that know Jesus was only a matter of time, as the manager has always liked larger goalies and Helton stands at 1.96 meters which is 0.05 meters taller then Vlachodimos.

Benfica interested in Braga defensive midfielder

According to reports from Portugal, Benfica are said to be interested in Braga defensive midfielder Al Musrati. The 24 year old has caught the eye of Benfica manager Jorge Jesus with his performances this season and is currently being evaluated by the club. Benfica have not had any formal discussions with Braga who signed Musrati on a free transfer this past summer away from Guimaraes but Musrati spent last season on loan at Rio Ave under the tutelage of current Braga manager Carlos Carvalhal who had a hand in bringing over the Libyan international. Musrati has appeared in 31 games across all competitions for Braga this season, scoring twice while setting up three others. Benfica are aware that Murati is signed until the summer of 2024 and has a €30M buy out clause which would make any negotiation difficult.

Benfica miserable season just brings more lows

Benfica's horrendous season just continues as they are unable to hang onto a lead, then an advantage in their second leg Europa League encounter against Arsenal. Benfica fell behind to start the game but equalized on a fantastic free kick by Diogo Goncalves, they then took the lead on an Arsenal mishap as Rafa Silva put them in front 2-1 with thirty minutes left in the game. The lead latest all but six minutes as Arsenal brought the game level and with three minutes left in the game, Arsenal striker Aubameyang scored his second goal of the game to put the final nail in Benfica's coffin.

Jesus' poor move to strip club number one goalie Vlachodimos of his starting spot and replace him with Helton Leite, was never more evident then on Arsenal's second goal which many feel should have been stopped but seemed to catch Leite moving the wrong way. Leite almost then gifted the game to Arsenal when his clearance deflected off an Arsenal player and gave the London side a chance to take the lead but they missed the opportunity wide.

Benfica has a Taca de Portugal final to play for an by the looks of it, not much else after spending a record €100M+ this season on a busted tire. Tomorrow may bring the end of a painful run led by Jorge Jesus who's time at the club should be over but may not be due to his relationship with club President Luis Filipe Vieira.