Darwin hopes for two year stay at Benfica

Summer signing Darwin Nunez who is off to a great start with his new side Benfica has let it be known through his agent Edgardo Lasalvia that he is enjoying his stay with the club and hopes to remain with the Lisbon side for at least two seasons. Nunez became Benfica's all time record signing when the club acquired the player from Spanish side Almeria for €24M in September and wisely added a €150M buy out clause to the Uruguayan strikers contract.

Nunez's hot start to his Benfica career has already caught the attention of Spanish giants Barcelona and English side Man City, with more clubs surely set to inquire about the 21 year olds availability as the season goes on. Nunez has scored five goals and set up six others in his first ten games with the club across all competitions. Benfica fans can thank Edinson Cavani, another Uruguayan striker who turned down the clubs advances which lead them to turn to Nunez as their secondary option. A move that now looks set to pay the club a huge dividend down the road.

Rui Costa in isolation due to COVID-19

Benfica legend and newly elected club vice president Rui Costa is in isolation due to recent contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. Costa was not in the stands during today's 3-3 draw between Benfica and Rangers in Europa League action and it was disclosed that Costa took the initiative to quarantine himself after learning that he had been in contact with the positive COVID-19 person. Costa will also not be in the stands when Benfica host Braga this upcoming weekend before the International break.

Brazilian trio still adapting to European football

The newly acquired Brazilian trio this summer are all adapting to the style of game played in Europe from their homeland as the season continues to move forward. Brazilians, Everton, Gabriel and Pedrinho all joined the club during the summer transfer window for a combined €40M and all three have yet to make their mark this season. Benfica manager Jorge Jesus feels that the trio has a lot of talent between them but have yet to reach their potential as they adjust to the more demanding European game which provides less space to work with and more defensive responsibility.
Everton who is a regular for the Brazilian national side is the only one of the trio who has played regular minutes and also the only one to have scored across all competitions while chipping in five helpers. Gilberto has only started to play regularly with the injury to starting right back Andre Almeida, while Pedrinho has played the least minutes of the three and thus far been the least impressive. The Brazilians will continue to work with manager Jesus as they learn his system and what is required in European football as they look to help the club succeed this season.