Durval

Seen in the VIP area last night at Estadio Da Luz, the Brazilian central defender maybe headed to a January signing. Currently without a contract, Durval is a player who has been under JJ's watchful eye since he was the coach at Belenenses.
With Miguel Vitor most likely headed to Portsmouth when the market opens, Durval can be his substitute.

In the meantime, no word on Kardec's formal introduction, although the media is stating that he has already finished his required physical.

-END-

Type rest of the post here

Continue Reading..

Alan Kardec

No Confirmation from Benfica yet, but according to the media and Vasco da Gama directive the deal is done.

Comments after Benfica's confirmation

-END-

Type rest of the post here

Continue Reading..

Forward # 6 - Keirrison

Bought from Palmeiras by Barcelona for a reported 14 million. Keirrison, a member of Brazil's U-23, will be on loan at Benfica this year, with an option for another year, as Barcelona plans on giving the 20 year old competitive rhythm and get him more acclimated with the European game.

At 20 years old Keirrison was voted the revelation player of the Brasileirao. In 2007 he helped Coritiba stay in Brasil's first division by being the league's best scorer. He transferred to Palmeiras this year, where he has scored 24 goals in 35 official matches.
He is the 6th forward at JJ's disposal, and stated that in Portugal he would only play for Benfica.
This after there were some rumors he might be headed to porto.

-END-

Type rest of the post here

Continue Reading..

Javi Garcia Speaks.

Javier Garcia gave his first interview to "A Bola". In the interview he answers questions about his move, Balboa, Saviola, JJ, and his quest to be happy again.
the whole thing translated after the jump.

"I arrived at the Right Time"

AB-What were your impressions of these first days of your new Club? I bet everything has been very fast.

JG-Very impressed, I spoke quite a bit with Saviola before coming, and he told me that all of this was impressive and i was truly impressed. The stadium, the training facilities they are top notch, incredible quality. The squad is composed of a lot of quality, young and hungry for titles, just like me.
I already knew some players, besides Saviola and Aimar, Luisao and Nuno Gomes, who had a tremendous gesture towards me, by showing me around and making sure he said hello to my family. I also knew DiMaria from the U20 WC in 07. There were other players that surprised me such as Maxi, Shaffer and Fabio Coentrao.

AB-Were your friends and family surprised for your choice to come to Benfica rather than staying at Real?

JG-My Family knew, my friends not so much. Maybe a lot of people were surprised to see me trade Portugal for Spain, but i wanted a change of scenery.

AB-How much time did you have to think?

JG-It was all very fast, and i didn't want to extend it a lot. But i thought about it a few times.

AB-Was it difficult to leave Real Madrid?

JG-No, I owe a lot to Real, but for me it's already the past. I only think about Benfica now.

AB-Real sold you to Osasuna in 07, and then bought you back. Do you admit that's not to natural?

JG-Yeah, I don't know(laughs). I had a good season at Osasuna, and Real decided to buy me back.

AB-What if Real did the same thing with Benfica?

JG-At this time, i'm only thinking of having good seasons at Benfica and please everyone who has put their trust on me. Nothing else.

AB-Did you have other offers from Spanish teams?

JG-Some teams did contact me, but i needed a change of scenery, i wanted to leave Spain, get to know the world, and I thought Benfica was ideal for me.

AB-You're from Murcia, same area as Camacho. Did you speak to him before coming?

JG-I know him, but i did not speak to him. But you can be sure that Benfica gained popularity in Murcia from Camacho.

AB-Would you like to play in Portugal for a lot of years?

JG-Yes. The truth is that i am very impressed with all that's happened to me in the past 48 hours. I can't get tired of saying that i have never been so excited in my career.

AB-Jorge Jesus praised your tactical discipline, stating that you can play in the "6" slot, the "8" slot, or even as a central defender. What is your favorite position?

JG-I have always played as a central midfielder. I'm indifferent whether i play more forward or more back in that area, but i like to play by myself in front of the defenders. The current tactical system suits me.

AB-Benfica is only going to play with a defensive mid, Do you think you can assume that role?

JG-I'm here for that. I feel liked by all, and i'm going to show that my acquisition wasn't a mistake and that you'll have a player for the future.

AB-What are your main qualities?

JG-I'll answer that on the field.

AB-In Spain, many fans say that Javi Garcia has very little value and were surprised by the fact that Benfica signed you. What do you think about that?

JG-(Loses his permanent smile). I don't pay too much attention, because in all honesty, i didn't have many chances to show myself. I'm indiferent to what people say. I know my worth, and now i'm at Benfica to show that worth. I'm not at Real Madrid.

AB-What did you think of Jorge Jesus?

JG-I was pleased. He talks with us a lot and he is always correcting us. He spoke the same way to the players that played and the ones that didn't. In a squad, it's very important to have all of the players motivated. My first impression was very good.

AB-Real Madrid has a bigger fan base than Barcelona, but they haven't won. The same thing happens with Benfica and Porto. Do you think your new team can beat Porto?

JG-It's complicated, but be aware that we are Benfica, a great club. We are working to win titles. We want to win the league, because i already know that's something the fan base has been craving for. I made the best decision and now is the right time for all of us to win. We have a team to win titles, being the league or going far in the Europa league.

AB-You know Balboa well. Why do you think he failed at Benfica?

JG-For me, he is an excellent player, very quick. I was surprised, and i think it's strange, but i am not aware of the reasons.

AB-Do you believe in Saviola at the top of his game?

JG-I always say this, In any team, Saviola always scores goal, in all of them. When he was young at River, he scored goals, when he arrived at Barca he scored goals, in Seville, everywhere. I'm very sure he will score a lot of goals at Benfica and that he will be called to the National team for the WC.

AB-I am noticing a good amount of excitement on your part. You look like you need to be happy again. Is that an accurate interpretation?

JG-In all honesty, I haven't felt so valued and loved by people around me in a long time. In Madrid it's different, people are different and value different things. I had the need to feel happy and valued. I think I can do it at Benfica.

# Photo Via - www.slbenfica.pt

Continue Reading..

Weldon

Benfica's sixth acquisition of the new season is 28 year old Brazilian forward Weldon.
Weldon, who was coached by JJ two years ago at Belenenses, was acquired from Brazil's Sport Recife for under 200k.
JJ stated that Weldon is a player that has qualities that neither Saviola, nor Cardozo, nor Nuno Gomes have, and that at the time he coached him, he was perhaps the fastest player with the ball at his feet in the Portuguese league.

Weldon will wear #19

-END-

Continue Reading..

Javier Saviola

Benfica has communicated to the Portuguese Exchange Comission that they have reached an agreement with Real MAdrid to acquire Javier Saviola for 5 million euros. Benfica also reported that they have reached the beginning of an agreement with the player for a contract that will keep Saviola at Benfica for the next 3 years.


-END-

Continue Reading..

Shaffer

Benfica has not made it official, but every media outlet is reporting that Shaffer has signed with Benfica for the next 4 seasons.
A fast search on youtube yielded the following videos.
1
2

enjoy.

-END-

Continue Reading..

New Faces

While the coaching situation is far from being a certainty for next year, Benfica has already confirmed two new acquisitions for the upcoming season. Patric and Ramires, both young Brazilians and members of Brazil's "U" squads, are referenced as young talents with potential bright futures ahead.







Patric Cabral Lalau

Birth Date - March 25, 1989(20 years old)
Birth Place - Criciuma, Brazil
Height - 5' 7 1/2"
Weight 160lbs

Previous Clubs - Criciuma(senior debut), Sao Caetano.
National Team Experience - U20 capped, 09 South American Youth Championship Winner.

Patric is a right back and, from what I have read, has a style of playing similar to Inter's Maicon. His main assets are his speed and endurance, a modern side back who is capable of making the transition into the attack.
"Compact, agile and reactive, with top levels of athleticism an physical attributes" is how this youngster is described in a prospecting site.
His ability to move up the field with the ball at his feet and his never ending quest to win the touchline, culminating with a driven cross into the box, seem to be Patric's M.O., certainly a player that Benfica can use.

With Patric's acquisition, Benfica adds depth to the right side of the defense. Maxi who was moved to right side back of the defense, was perhaps Benfica's most regular defender, and in my opinion Benfica's best defensive player this season, but the Uruguayan has shown some limitations particularly in his attacking game, has he isn't necessarily your typical speedster. Nonetheless, his consistent performances, and his never surrender attitude made him a staple and one of the pillars of this past year's defense. The arrival of Patric will certainly not mean the demise of Maxi, instead the right side of the defense will now be deep, with Miguel Vitor as a third option.





Ramires Santos dos Nascimento

Birth Date - March 24, 1987(22 years old)
Birth Place - Barra do Pirai', Brazil
Height - 5' 11"
Weight 146lbs

Previous Clubs - Joinville(senior debut), Cruzeiro.
National Team Experience - U23 2008 Olympic team member(Bronze),

Ramires is a center midfielder, but can play several roles in the midfield. His frail appearance give the impression of a player who can be easily pushed off the ball, but that is not the case with Ramires, as he is known mostly by his fighting spirit and his competitive fiber. Ramires will not shy away from a 50/50 ball and will often come out on top against players that seem a lot stronger than him.
His fighting spirit have earned him the nickname of "Warrior Ramires"(Guerreiro Ramires). He has also earned the name "Blue Kenyan"(Queniano Azul), that off course, because of his physical appearance.
I had the opportunity to watch Ramires in action this past weekend, when Cruzeiro played Sao Paulo for the second time in 4 days, and I can tell you that i liked the player. Without having a very flashy game, Ramires demonstrated very interesting abilities and traits. He played as a more retracted forward, but more in the midfield than behind the main forward. Playing a bit to the right, Ramires not only appeared as a target man for transition build up, he would also show up in the front line so quickly, that it seemed like he had always been there.

A very interesting player if you ask me, that can very easily slip into the box to box role, a role which was very much null for Benfica this year. He is quick, has good ball skills, a decent mid-range, and exhibits good defensive skills, which make him the the perfect player for the role.
He can be a very important player for Benfica, he is only 22, but he is already admired by many and a proven player domestically. Ramires was so dear to the Cruzeiro fan base that the club's president was compelled to write a letter to the fans explaining Ramires departure.
He recently earned his first call up to Brazil's national team, and is presently in camp with the "canarinha" preparing for World Cup Qualifiers and the Confederations Cup which is going down this summer down in South Africa.





,

Continue Reading..