[howaythetoon]

Newcastle United have put a 5M bid in today for right-back Miguel.

I've only seen him at Euro 2004 and he looked excellent. But the last time we tried to bid 4M + Viana, Benfica told us he would cost at least twice that amount. However, no big clubs have shown an interest in him at that price and Viana has gone on loan to Sporting Lisbon.

Do you think Miguel will leave Benfica? And what do you think of him as a player?

[ferreirajl]

Miguel wasn't a RB originally. He was adapted to that position due to Benfica's needs in that sector. The adaptation worked quite well for most of the season but still most people would agree that Miguel is not a pure deffender. I mean he's just great going forward on the right wing, he's very fast, has good skill and can really help to break into opponents defenses. He's an excellent attacking choice for the RB position.

My doubts about his value are mostly in terms of his deffensive abilities. Normally he can do ok and cover his flank, but he has also made critical mistakes in critical games for Benfica. I remember the Porto-Benfica game last year, where he lost the ball to Derlei inside Benfica's penalty box. Benfica was dominating that game but Porto got the lead in that critical mistake and from then on Porto secured the lead (and later increased it). Another game I remember against Lazio in the CL preliminary round. Again Benfica dominated the game in Rome, but then in 2 fast counter attacks through the right side of Benfica's deffense Lazio scored 2 goals and Benfica was eliminated.

In conclusion I would say that if your midfield is solid and you have already a good deffense and really what you're looking for is an offensive RB... that's where Miguel really shines.

[ferreirajl]

I forgot to say that it's not likely that Benfica will let him leave though...

[biggyv]

Miguel improved considerably in defense as the season wore on, that's part of the reason he replaced Paulo Ferreira at RB for Portugal after the 1st Greece game (although Scolari preferred him as an attacking option). He was excellent against Holland for example; he made Robben a non-factor.

[Frank Cunha]

with Miguel in the lineup in the second half the game with Greece could had a different outcome, he got hurt before half time and he was one of our best players

Filipao was force to use a sub, Paulo Ferreira

that sub could be done later in the game, by taking Miguel out and bring in another strike, probably Postiga

[Frank Cunha]

Miguel could be worth between 12 to 15 millon euros

[Benfica_fan]

Benfica is asking 15 million euros for Miguel, and they are not lowering it.

[howaythetoon]

Do Benfica need the money? I read a while ago that they were in some debt but they have since sold Tiago for 10M so that may have cleared it. Have any other clubs made offers for Miguel recently?

[Frank Cunha]

Benfca financial are a lot better, they got 12 millon for Tiago, because the player demanded, he just didn't get along with one of the new directors, so Benfica made him the favor

for Miguel you going to have to pay some more, Newcastle at one time offer money and Hugo Viana, but since then Hugo was signed to Sporting
I don't think Miguel his going anywhere until they get at least 15million euros

[marco goncalves]

Originally Posted by howaythetoon

Do Benfica need the money? I read a while ago that they were in some debt but they have since sold Tiago for 10M so that may have cleared it. Have any other clubs made offers for Miguel recently?

With all due respect for NEWCASTLE but i think that any Portuguese player shouuld boycott moving to Newcastle,after what that dick head of a grandpa ,that you have for a coach did to HUGO VIANA,playing him out of position ,on the left side of the park,when hes a center mid,and than,keeping him on the bench,and setting the kid back 2 years on his career.

If i was Miguel i wouldnt move from Benfica to a smaller clubs like Newcastle.


And my opinion,no Miguel will not leave Benfica ,because were building a team,not desmantling one....