Javi Garcia surprised by Benfica links

Current Boavista center back and former Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia was taken by surprise by a report in the Portuguese daily A Bola last week that linked the 35 year old with a return to Benfica as part of incoming manager Roger Schmidt's coaching staff for next season. Javi confirmed that no one from Benfica has spoken to him about such a move and that he still has a contract for one more season at Boavista.

Javi appeared in 132 games across all competitions for Benfica in three seasons at the club from 2009 to 2012, winning one League Championship along with three Taca da Liga trophies before departing. Javi has spent time in his career at various clubs which include Real Madrid, Manchester City and Real Betis among a host of others. Javi joined Boavista on a free transfer in the summer of 2020.

Benfica end season and look to next year

Benfica closed out their 2021/22 campaign yesterday with a 2-0 victory over Pacos Ferreira in a game that saw many of the clubs academy players get a shot in the spotlight before closing the curtain on this campaign. Henrique Araujo scored a brace, earning player of the game honours and sending a message to incoming manager Roger Schmidt that he is ready for the big stage at Lisbon next season.

Benfica finish third in the league for the second straight season and will next to go through a playoff once again if they are to make the group stage of the Champions League. Benfica also failed to collect any hardware for the third straight season, their coming in the summer of 2019 when the captured the Portuguese Super Cup.

Benfica fans can expect many changes for next season as the club looks to right the ship under their new manager Schmidt. Benfica could see as many as ten players on the current roster depart in the summer with striker and current golden boot leader Darwin Nunez headlining the long list as the club looks for a fresh start.

Benfica fans the season is over but now a new kind of fun begins with all the summer moves in and out of the club and we can once again renew hope for the 2022/23 season..... all aboard.

Incoming manager Schmidt wants Dutch left back

Benfica's incoming manager Roger Schmidt is said to have recommended that the club look towards the Eredivisie for the potential replacement of Alex Grimaldo who looks set to depart the club for greener pastures this summer. Schmidt is interested in current AZ Alkmaar's left back and Dutch International Owen Wijndal as his starting right back for next season but Benfica are already in advance talks for other players to take over at the position.

Wijndal has come through the Alkmaar youth ranks and has represented the Netherlands in all age levels throughout competitions. The 22 year old was part of the Netherlands Euro 2020 squad and appeared as a substitute off the bench twice during the competition. Wijndal has appeared in 42 games for Alkmaar across all competitions this season, scoring once while setting up twelve helpers.