After Fabio Faria joining the team for the two games Benfica played in North America, it was now the time to unveil the Second and Third signings of the new season, Franco Jara and Nicolas Gaitan respectively.
At 21 Jara arrives at Benfica from Arsenal de Sarandi, and is an acquisition for the front line. He is a player with similar characteristics to Saviola, and will be his natural back up. In 12 games of the 09 Apertura Jara scored 4 goals and assisted 3. He also collected his first senior cap during Argentina's preparation for the WC, as he was part of the large pool of players Maradona looked at.
Nicolas Gaitan was purchased from Boca and is an offensive midfielder than can play both out on the wing and as a supporter to the center forward. In the 10 games he played in the 09 Apertura, 6 of them were as a starter, as he collected 4 goals and 1 assist during that time. Gaitan comes into Benfica as a possible solution to DiMaria's exit, but not limited to that, quick lefty who plays from the final third up.
Wish them both luck
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Thursday, June 24, 2010
Jara and Gaitan Unveiled
Monday, May 3, 2010
Nicolas Gaitan Official
It's official, Nicolas Gaitan is Benfica's 3rd signing of the 10/11 season. With the customary physical exams pending, Benfica and Boca Juniors agreed to the sum of 8.4 million euros, for the players pass, who signed a contract valid for the next 5 seasons.
Nicolas Gaitan is Benfica's 3rd most expensive acquisition in the clubs history, falling behind Simao at 13M, and Cardozo at 11.6M.
The little i know from Gaitan i have seen on Youtube
I found one write up that i believe describes the player accurately
Via - Talented Football
Name: Nicolas Gaitan
Team: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Birth date: 23.02.1988
Nationality: Argentina
EU Passport: No
End of Contract: 06.2011
Estimated Yearly Wage: 180.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 3.000.000 €
Position: Winger - Usually plays as a free front man, coming wide, both at left or right. His natural position is as winger, either side and would adapt more easily to a 4-3-3 system because it’s defensively less demanding. With his age and potential he can easily become a useful player in other systems too.
Potential (0-10): 8 - His talent is very easy to spot. If he can learn more about the tactical side of the game, both in decision making and positional play, he can easily get to a very high level.
Physical description: 173 cm, very easy to say his best physical attribute is the speed. Can accelerate very quickly and has good agility and balance. He’s not a physically strong player but is also not too fragile in physical challenges.
Technical description: His left foot is his weapon. Very good technically, both in first touch, passing, crossing and shooting. His main attribute, though, is the dribbling. Very fast receiving, turning and getting away from defenders, being very difficult to stop when running with the ball.
Tactical description: His talent makes it very easy to find offensive movements where he can be strong. In transition and more space, it becomes more obvious, but also with more organized defences he can be a weapon, with fast 1-2 combinations. The problem with Gaitan is that this is the only thing that has been asked from him. He needs to start playing in a more demanding tactical environment, where he can learn to make better decisions and to position himself in the defensive moments of the game. This is what separates Gaitan from a promising player from a top class one.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Rumours Have It
According to some reports coming out of Portugal, Benfica's next signing may be Boca Junior's sensation Nicolás Gaitán. Word is of an agreement reached for the players pass by both clubs for the amount of 9 million. No official word has come from either club. Benfica may very well make that announcement after this weekends game..
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