Carlos Gabriel is the latest Brazilian linked with a move to Benfica according to reports coming out of Portugal. The 20 year old Gabriel is on Benfica's list of future targets and has been loaned by parent club Atletico Mineiro to Parana until the end of November. Gabriel plays the left back position and could be seen as the heir apparent to current starter Alex Grimaldo. Gabriel came through the Mineiro youth system and spent the past two seasons with the main squad before being loaned to Parana in January for more playing time. Gabriel is known in Brazil as Hulk due to his build and is strong on the ball while being surprisingly quick. Benfica hopes to see the player in person in the near future once the world is back to a somewhat normal place.
Benfica have not been in action since drawing 1-1 with Setubal on March 7th and the squad was given vacation a month later on April 7th with no definite time table to return back to work with the club. The SAD officials are said to be currently working on how the
players will return to work safely at Seixal in accordance with the new league
guidelines set up due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports say that Benfica is leaning on having all players and staff back by months end or early May to resume training while the league looks at options on how to recommence the season behind closed doors. Benfica currently sit one point behind league leaders FC Porto with ten league games remaining in the season.
Former Benfica defender David Luiz has let it be known through SporTV that his heart has always been with the club that gave him his start in European football and dreams of the day that he can wear the Benfica jersey once again before he calls time on his career. The 33 year old central defender joined Benfica in the winter of 2007 on loan from Brazilian side E.C. Vitoria before the club made the move permanent for a mere €500K six months later. Luiz spent three and a half seasons in Lisbon, appearing in 130 games across all competitions and was named the league player of the year in Benfica's title run of 2009/10. Benfica cashed in on Luiz's popularity across Europe in the winter of 2011, selling the defender to Chelsea for €25M and making a hefty profit from their original purchase price. Luiz went on to win the Champions League with the London club in 2012 and has spent time at PSG, a return to Chelsea and now calls Arsenal home. With the rumoured retirement of Jardel after this season Benfica could potentially be looking to add a veteran presence at center back and with David Luiz's heart already in Lisbon it will be up to the club if they want to add the body.
Check out the Top 200 Soccer Blogs every football fan must read in 2020, we currently sit #172 on the blog list.
