There Is No Room For You Here

"Why did I try to beat up that stubborn Mule?"

The more I read about Oscar Cardozo in the tabloids, the more frustrated I get with his weasel of an agent Pedro Aldave. Since the Portuguese Cup final, there has been constant reports of "Tacuara" leaving the eagles and being linked to such teams as; Cardiff City, Manchester City, and Turkish side Fenerbahce.  

Almost everyday sites like ABola have had stories pretty much guaranteeing that Cardozo will leave Benfica anyday now to Turkey. Supposedly Benfica's President LFV has approved the 30 year old striker's transfer to Fenerbahce. 

As i'm preparing for my Tuesday night ritual (www.talkingtothedoll.podbean.com the only English speaking Benfica pod on your world wide web) I was a bit stunned to read on ABola.com that «Cardozo está mais perto de ficar no Benfica do que sair», 

What is wrong with Cardozo and his agent Pedro Aldave? Does Cardozo think that he is going to win the heart of his coach Jorge Jesus and remain on the team as if nothing ever happened? or is his agent pulling some sort of publicity stunt to either gain a raise or some cred within the European Soccer Agent's? (not an actual organisation)

As a fan (because I am not a professional writer by any means) I acknowledge Cardozo's contribution to Benfica. He has had an impressive career at the luz thus far scoring 161 goals in 261 Benfica appearances and will go down in Benfica's top 10 records for most goals. 

After watching Benfica lose the Portuguese Cup Final to Vitória de Guimarães, I could not believe his actions on the pitch. I sympathised with him because he wore his emotions on his sleeve and he was so disappointed to lose because he loves being at Benfica so much and wants to win as much as every player and when you lose you want to blame someone right? and who better to blame then the coach right? However, from JJ's perspective and the organisation's perspective these actions are not acceptable and when there are actions that can affect team morality there must be consequences. 

For example; I am an employee and I have a boss. There are times in which I want punch my boss in the face but for fear of losing my job (and my soon to be wife) I do not pursue my actions. Let's say one day I did punch my boss in the face and by fluke got away with it, what example would I set for my fellow employee's? Pretty soon everyone will be punching my boss in the face assuming that they can get away with it because I did. 

Cardozo must leave.I'd like to believe that he is worth 12 - 15 million but as the theory stated by my wise friend Steve goes, Benfica may settle for cheap just so they can rid of him at the end of the summer transfer window. Call me crazy but at 30, a striker is not old. They may be past their prime still but as long as Cardozo stays fit and gets minutes, I am a firm believer that he will continue to score 20-30 goals per season until he starts to slow down at age 32-33.

Don't worry Benfica nation, the goals will come during 2013/14 without him. Lima is a guarantee 20+ goals (as he did this past season with Benfica and the previous season at SC Braga) and Rodrigo can very well have his best year and fight against only 1 (not 2) other striker for top position. Let's face it, Oliveira will be away on loan to Stoke City and Lima can't possibly play every game and score every single goal for Benfica throughout the season. Let's not forget our new #10 oh wait.... 9 and a half according to JJ, Filip Djuricic who has demonstrated in the pre-season that he can produce plays and set up goals. 

In the footy world players come and go. Change is inevitable and whenever a player enters a club like Benfica it is only a matter of time before he exits and is replaced by the next available player. 

3 goals against Sporting in Alvalade.