Benfica will return to work this Wednesday, on the first day of a season in which retaining the title of champions is the main goal. But also try to win the other three national competitions (Taça de Portugal, Taça da Liga and Supertaça) and get as far as possible in the Champions League, outperforming last season’s quarter-finals. August 8 or 9 will be the official debut, against FC Porto, in Aveiro, for the Super Cup dispute.
The only officially announced signing was Turkish central midfielder Orkun Kökçü, who was acquired from Feyenoord for 25 million euros (plus 5 million for goals)., in what was the most expensive purchase in Portuguese football history. However, Argentine world champion Di María is also well placed in Roger Schmidt’s squad, with his official appointment coming soon. In this case, it concerns the return of a player who was missed between 2007 and 2010 after a successful period with Luz.
On the other hand, Grimaldo left, one of the most decisive players of the last season, witnessed by his eight goals and 14 assists. The Czech David Jurásek, from Slavia Praga, is the likely replacement, as the Hungarian Milos Kerkez, the first option, is unlikely to come due to the high financial demands of AZ Alkmaar.
In terms of spare parts, Benfica are looking to secure placements for Seferovic and Meité, while central João Victor, who was loaned to Nantes in 2022/23, will try to convince Roger Schmidt in pre-season. In the same situation is striker Henrique Araújo, after a failed transfer to Watford, while Paulo Bernardo, Tiago Dantas and Tomás Araújo also return on loan, but are unlikely to remain in the squad.
Left defender and the goal
Finding a good replacement for Grimaldo should be Benfica’s top priority, according to former glory António Simões. “Grimaldo is a very important victim, not least because the game has changed and positions like side-back and goalkeeper, in this case because of the importance of knowing how to play with your feet, have taken on a different dimension. It is therefore necessary to find a quality player who can approach his performance,” he emphasizes. On the other hand, he congratulates the captain Otamendi for continuing, who terminated his contract, but eventually extended it.
Despite Kökçü’s arrival in midfield, Simões understands that “perhaps it would be positive for a player who was able to make the transition quickly from defense to attack and at the same time was good in passing”, but, he says, “it doesn’t seem easy to find this footballer as it is already known that the price is inflated when Benfica enters the scene, be it buying or selling”.
Quim, former goalkeeper of the eagles, praises the way in which the new season is being prepared, understanding “the big goal is to rehabilitate the title of national champion and go further than last season in the Champions League”, something that, he assures, “can realistically be achieved”. And like António Simões, he sees the arrival of a good replacement for Grimaldo as urgent, highlighting the left-back’s “great offensive ascendancy” over the past season.
Benfica have already secured two major signings [Kökçü e Di María], unlike Sporting and FC Porto, who have been more discreet. This investment capacity of the Clube da Luz could enable it to dig a gap against its two major rivals and Sp. Braga? Quim highlights the arrival of his former colleague Di María and assures that “despite being 35 years old, he is still performing at a great level”. And he defends that “it is undeniable that Benfica has more favorable financial terms and is ahead of its rivals, having retained most of the key players and reinforcements arriving early”.
Already António Simões believes that the Eagles have made “good investments in the market, which could prove decisive to maintain competitiveness in the Champions League and to position the club in the future Club World Cup that sooner or later, , will be a fact”.
As for possible departures and the coveted Gonçalo Ramos, whose pass set Benfica at €80 million, Quim considers him “a spearhead who makes the difference, but if an offer comes that he cannot refuse, then he will certainly leave and his there are certainly already possible substitutes”. . António Simões agrees and underlines that “all Portuguese clubs are sellers, hence the importance of excellent training work, leading to the development of the Portuguese player and the emergence of great talent”.
Rafa is a tricky business, he terminated his contract in June 2024, demanding a salary of 3.5 million euros a year to renew. “Who can take him the wrong way? The club needs to see if the quality/price issue is worth paying that amount”, says Simões. Quim, on the other hand, thinks that “there were benefits if there was a good proposal leading to his departure”, but he is confident that “he will be a very useful and 100% professional player if he stays”.
In every pre-season there is news of Benfica’s interest in a new goalkeeper and this season is no exception – Bento, from Athletico Paranaense, is the target. Simões confesses that this situation causes him “some discomfort”, not understanding “why Vlachodimos is always questioned, since he has done the job”. Therefore, he asks SAD officials to “either hire a goalkeeper who is clearly number 1, warn Vlachodimos about this situation, or let him work at will”. Quim, who knows very well what he is talking about in this position, thinks it will do the Greek good to have a strong competitor. “Goalkeepers are a very specific place and players shouldn’t be left at ease. You have to have someone at your side with a similar level,” he says.
Source: DN
