It's a last resort kind of thing, I would love to see him back, i think he needs to go back home and find his game again, but in his head everything is beneath him, what can we do?
Great talent, very competitive lad, but still lacks maturity in his game, whoever gets him needs to bear that in mind
All of our reporters have been saying all Summer that O'Neil is going to look at Chiquinho during pre season and decide whether he wants to keep him and Chiquinho has given an interview saying he wants to stay. I still think he'll move on though, probably towards the end of the window. He's got a lot of ability but doesn't have the consistency to play in the Premier League at this stage in his career IMO. Our other ex Estoril players Toti & Rodrigo Gomes are looking very good though. I think Toti especially could be about to have a very important season.
I was at Estadio da Luz for Benfica 5-0 Feyenoord, great game! but what a reality check it was vs Fulham... We will struggle against teams who play high intensity football and knows how to press.
Toti is a typical modern defender, i call him defender because these days these lads can play anywhere in the defensive line huh?
Yeah he played on the left of a back 4 last season (moved to left of a back 3 in possession) but at the moment it looks like he might end up playing alongside Yerson Mosquera (who was on loan at Villarreal last season) in the middle. Toti is obviously very impressive physically but I think he's very underrated in the way he manages the game and how he uses the ball.
Benfica still needs a complete midfielder, i think FLorentino is a good guy to have on the squad but never as a starter. We need another Enzo, a guy that is good on all phases, that circulates the ball quickly.
How did Beste & Pavlidis get on in those games? Benfica need to sort out those positions just as much as they need to replace Neves.
Beste is quite good, and Carreras is a solid backup, soon to be a good starter, his doing the Grimaldo path. Pavlidis is what we needed, very intelligent without the ball
Oh wow... Sporting did a Sporting, a big one! I think Amorim Over complicated things with that system, I don't know if the team is yet ready for that, nor i think that was the game to test it out. Porto on the other hand kept things simple, of course when you get a goal and theres still time you start to believe, but still...it was a 3-1, Amorim should have locked the game right there
Still can’t believe last night It’s a strange feeling going into this season. I really didn’t expect Amorim to still be around, we’ve lost Coates which I don’t think it can be said enough what a massive loss that is. Even Paulinho leaving after being a big part of last season makes it a bit of a transition this year. Looks like it will be exciting at least
Solid 3-1 win to get us underway! Gyokeres, Pote and Trincao picking up where they left off last season, linking up really well and looking dangerous throughout. Great too see Quenda again from the start. He still looks very raw but what a talent he could be. In games where we will have lots of possession having him and Catamo on either side makes us really dangerous. Quaresma has really worked his way back into the side in the last 18 months and it’s great to see as I always expected such big things from him. Fernandes getting some game time too is good to see. Can’t help but feel we lack depth in the squad. Both the midfield two and the forward line of Pote/Gyokeres/Trincao are an injury away from really weakening us. Have a feeling we finish 3rd this season unfortunately
Had 3-1 Sporting in the prediction league so well chuffed with that last minute Clayton consolation. I've got Rio Ave down as having quite a good season so I think a 3-1 win is a very good start. I think you're okay in the middle with Fernandes & Bragança as back up, they're both good players but agree with you about the forward line. You really need someone to come in and spend some money on Edwards so you can replace him properly.
Thought they looked very poor to be honest. Agree about Braganca and Fernandes in theory, but I think Braganca is only really suited to certain games in this set up so he’s not always a viable replacement Just feels a bit like 22/23. Seemingly go in a cycle where we spend a bit of money and do well, then recoup money from winning the league and champions league appearances, not spend it the following year and we stutter a bit, then the cycle begins again We’ve been chasing Ioannidis all summer but with no luck yet. Quenda and Catamo will be able to play further up and cover the advanced winger positions, but even that depends on Fresneda coming good this year at right wing back
I think it might take time with Rio Ave, they've made a lot of signings. I think they've got a good coach though and Sporting at Alvalade in the first game was hardly an ideal way to start. I think it depends on what happens with Inacio, Diomande & Quaresma. Keep them & keep them fit and that's as good a base as you can have at this level.
Yeah I’m very happy with the back 3 actually. Coates will be a huge miss in the dressing room and on the pitch but I’m hoping Diomande really takes on that leadership role. Having Debast as well means we have great options at centre back
