Carlos Martins Signs

Carlos Martins will be introduced on Tuesday as Benfica's 4th signing for the 08/09 season.
Martins who was first "coupled" with Pongolle in a deal with Recreativo Huelva, will finally put black on white after the French forward chose to remain in Spain.

Carlos Martins cost Benfica 3m euros and signed a 5 year contract. The move sees Martins return to Portugal after a career rebirth at Huelva this past year, which was rewarded with a national team call up, but would be left off the Euro squad.
He was a product of Sporting's Academy and spent 8 years with Sporting, two of which were on loan.

Sporting who owns 40% of the player's pass, had first dibs on a re-buy but opted not to, it is publicly known that Martins had his problems with Paulo Bento, citing that his relationship with Bento was the worst it could have been.

There is no question that Carlos Martins is talented, but his inconsistent injured ridden seasons with Sporting, really leaves me apprehensive about his worth. At 26, Martins is entering his prime, and I'm hoping that his injury proneness was left back in Alvalade.

Martins can play both, the "box to box" position and the "playmaker" position, and both Quique and Rui Costa have a great admiration for his talent. Let's hope he can bring all Benfiquistas the same joys that Simao brought, when he returned from barcelona after leaving Sporting.



I had originally posted here about Martins' possible signing, and while i have nothing against the player himself, i feel that by signing Martins, Benfica will have found a substitute for Rui Costa the cheap way, and everyone knows that a "10" can't come that cheap, at least for Benfica.
I remain behind Rui Costa, and his decisions, he knows better than anyone else what Benfica's financial situation is and how far he can stretch it. So far he has been on target with his signings.

Aimar continues to be on the line, and apparently only 1m euros separate Benfica Zaragoza from reeling him in. Let's hope that Benfica can secure the Argentine, who also has a extensive injury record, but would be a more appropriate 10, in my opinion.


This morning, way before Benfica announced Carlos Martins, i read on O Antitripa the following:

1- Carlos Martins e Jonás Gutierrez na Luz.
2- Quaresma e burro alves no Inter de Milão, Lucho na Juventus.
3- Pelé, infelizmente Fabrizzio Miccoli e Pablo Aimar no fóculporto.

So far we got 1/2 of #1, let's see how the other 2 1/2 come out, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit.