Not really confidence-related, I think it's pretty objective if you look at their squad. Beyond those three, they'd have a hard time getting any of their players into Benfica's XI. Patricio agreed isn't really an upgrade, just possibly a bit better given his experience.
I wasn't really that impressed with Campbell, imo gelson is a better player and much more dangerous going forward. I also agree RV is a better coach and once he gets this team gelling Benfica will be the best team in the liga.
Pedro Pereira's return from Sampdoria is expected to be done next week. The 18-year-old will rejoin Benfica for €2m + F. Djuricic. [A Bola] pic.twitter.com/ijhkuUJPrs— Jan Freðrik Hagen (@JanFHagen) December 14, 2016
Great news. Kid was starting Serie A games at the age of 17. Fact that he's a foreigner in Italy makes it even crazier.
Great player and it probably means that Nelson Semedo is off to another club, it also get Drujcic off the wage bill.
Looks like Lindelof to Man U is almost done. 45 Million but could go to 65 if targets met. Crazy money these days. Man U also apparently negotiated for Nelson but to leave after the end of this year.
Lindelof isn't a top defensive CB but he's really good on the ball. He's very comparable to a Vidic type player. Anything over 25M is bonus money for us.
I dont think he is the CB that they need yet but I also think he is still improving and will be a top CB. CB take longer to mature in soccer. I do think he is on his way to being a top player. I think playing along side of our aging captain this year has been a challenge for him. He has had to cover for both at times. He will be missed. For his own good, I think it would have been better for him to stay and develop one more year at Benfica.
I think that is a little harsh . With young players you pay for how good they are now and how much better they will become.
Agreed on Phil Jones. Mourinho is just playing him and Carrick in order to support the "Mourinho makes mediocre players good" theory. Mourinho always has a few mediocre players in his squad. He's a savage, i know how he works
Carrick has just been a body. Not doing anything particularly good or bad, he's just there. It's more about Mkhitaryan & Zlatan. Pogba has started turning things around as well.
Nah, you're missing what Carrick is doing in the middle. Hes been a rock. Him being there is letting Mkhitaryan, Pogba and Herrera do their things a head of them. Hes not a trinco, and hes not a deep lying playmaker, but he's sitting in that hole and letting the skilled players play a head of him. Watch him a little closer next time. Dude is balling out. Hes mourinho's Xabi (Tbf I played as a number 6 so I watch that position more closely than most )
Holy christ, if he was playing like that i'm sure i would have noticed that by now. In the middle it's really just been a collective effort. We disagree.
As you've mentioned you could be watching him a little too much during the match because you've played in the position hence overrating his overall contribution to what the team gets to do up front. I've been watching them for awhile and the spine isn't perfect at all, but when they do look decent it's definitely a collective. Not one person stands out for me there.
Nelson Semedo will likely make a switch to Manchester United in the summer. Benfica want him to stay for the rest of the season before he's let go.
I don't think lindelof is off this window. I'm drawing a blank, but have we ever sold to United? I know gaitan had rumors there for like 3 straight seasons. Seems to be something amiss with the relationship