Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Benfica Player Profile - Nene

Benfica Blog
 

Nene (Striker)

Years Active (1968-1986)

Benfica Career (1968-1986)

Born: November 20, 1949 (71 years old)

Nene spent his entire senior career at Benfica a rarity in today's modern game, spending almost 20 years with the club before retiring at the age of 37. Nene was named the Portuguese player of the year in 1971 while competing with Benfica legend Eusebio at the club and was a member of Benfica's losing UEFA Cup 1982-83 finalists. Nene won a total of ten Portuguese League championships, seven Taca de Portugal and two Super Cups while scoring 371 goals for Benfica across all competitions sitting third all time on the club scoring list behind only Eusebio's 473 and Jose Aguias' 379.

Nene also earned 66 caps with the Portuguese national side scoring 22 goals and was a member of the nations 1984 Euro semi-finalists. The individual highlight of Nene's international career came in that same tournament were his late winner against Romania saw the Quinas clinch a spot in the knockout stage in their last game of the group stage qualifying.

Nene will always be regarded as one of the best players to don the Benfica jersey and from those lucky enough to have watched the player in his prime would admit that he was one of the quicker #7's, Nene would be immortalized on the clubs legends row, if one ever existed as his 575 club appearances are the most by any player to wear the Benfica colours.

Sunday, December 27, 2020

January to bring wind of change at Benfica

Benfica Blog
January may just see a flurry of moves made by Benfica, a club who is currently struggling to find its identity under manager Jorge Jesus. Benfica are set to make moves when the January transfer window opens with more departures then arrivals at the club. Benfica look set to move on from long time eagle Franco Cervi along with Chiquinho and Julian Weigl who was just acquired in January. Look for Benfica to also end their two year loan deal with Barcelona for Jean-Clair Todibo after barely four months with the youngster not getting one minute of playing time under Jesus. A winter arrival of central defender Lucas Verissimo from Santos would also trigger the departure of defender Ferro. Jorge Jesus has informed club President Luis Filipe Vieira that he would like an upgrade in the midfield, a part of the field that has been a sore point for the club all season long. Benfica have been mentioned as a possible destination for Portuguese international William Carvalho and Skahtar's Victor Kovalenko but any acquisition of both or either would need to see the club sell some of its current players. Jorge Jesus has a vision for Benfica that has yet to come to fruition, he is asking the club for the resources to make this project happen but Benfica fans are a restless bunch and Jesus may already be running out of time.


Friday, December 25, 2020

What Benfica need for Christmas this year

Benfica Blog
With the Christmas season upon us, we take a look at what old St. Nick can bring the club this holiday season to make it a joyous one for all the Benfica fans around the globe.

An attacking midfielder:

Benfica has an out of position Pizzi in the middle on many occasions and Taarabt who's best games tend to be against lesser opponents, the clubs other options leave a lot to be desired so Santa can look at placing a Viktor Kovalenko from Shakhtar or Jack Grealish from Aston Villa under the tree this winter. This is the clubs biggest wish this Christmas.

A defensive midfielder:

Benfica's options at the position run from Julian Weigl, Gabriel and long time club member Samaris. All three are capable of having decent games every now and then but lack the consistency needed to play regularly in the starting eleven. Santa can bring a consistent defensive midfielder to the club in the mold of Portuguese international William Carvalho or Denis Zakaria from Monchengladbach. This would be a secondary gift that Santa could add under the tree this season.

A right back:

The injury to regular starter Andre Almeida has hampered the clubs defensive play while providing little attack from summer signing Gilberto and Diogo Goncalves who is just learning a new position. With Almeida getting up there in age, Santa could bring the club a younger and more reliable right back this winter with the likes of Denzel Dumfries from PSV or Fabricio Bustos from Independiente to be added as bonus gift this Christmas.

The holiday season tends to be a festive time for people all around the globe and if Santa can drop off a few presents at the Estadio da Luz this season, the club will be better off for it.