The Left Back Problem At Benfica

 

This has been an ongoing issue since the departure of Fabio Coentrao in 2011. Since his departure, we saw the likes of Emerson, Lorenzo Melgarejo (Striker) and let's not forget Bruno Cortez brief few months last season playing as LB

Last season Benfica acquired two excellent solutions at full back (as we discovered later on in the season, both can play in t he LB position) Silvio and Siqueira. We (Benfica Nation) all welcomed both players with open arms.

 

Siqueira demonstrated great ability throughout the season covering off the attacking forwards from the opposition. Silvio, a "Made In Benfica" full back was lethal on the wings as well. Both players are at their prime age (Silvio 26, Siqueira 28) in their career. They have experience and can do what proper full backs do and that is protect, defend and run up and down the flanks. With what appears to be a shortage of full backs currently, I feel both players (when healthy of course) would be ideal as starting full backs on any team. Silvio has played in Spain and if not injured would of been Portugal's ideal RB. Siqueira has played within Italy and Spain and sparked the interest of Real Madrid.

 

They both cried for Benfica and played for the love of the shirt. These were two players who provided great solutions to Benfica's historic winning Treble Season. Unfortunately, both players were loanee players from Granada and Atletico Madrid. Although Siqueira's wages may of been too high for Benfica's payroll, Silvio reported for pre-season camp this week and although still recovering from injury his loan deal has expired and may very well sign for Benfica.

 

Benfica did have the option to buy Siqueira from Granada for 7M but missed the boat to Atletico Madrid. (Real Madrid also made offers) 7M for a solution to a 3 year problem. 7M is a lot of money for Benfica to spend on any player but let's not forget it would not be the transfer fee that would "Break The Bank" it would of been his actual yearly salary. In the past Benfica have bought numerous players for 7M some bust, some worth the money regardless, spending money on a quality LB (or a quality defender who can play LB) should always be a priority.

A quality full back is a much different find then a striker, winger, or midfield. Those are a dime a dozen unlike a quality full back which is a hard to find almost rare commodity to find. For Benfica to achieve success in this year up coming 2014/15 season they need a proper LB to help Benfica compete in domestic and UEFA competition.

 

 

 Benfica has not yet sealed the contract with Silvio who may only be available healthy by October (ABola.pt) and although he will miss some action Benfica must get their head out of the clouds and not miss the boat on signing Silvio. Not only will he give it his best, he is also "Made In Benfica." and is Portuguese. It's always good to have a few of those on your team.

In the meantime Benfica have acquired 26 year old Brazilian LB Djavan (free from Academica), 23 year old Brazilian RB Luis Felipe (Palmeiras, unknown fee) and 22 year old Swiss LB Loris Benito (FC Zurich, 3M) as options for full backs in the up and coming season. Although I do not follow Brazilan soccer or The Swiss League, I feel as though Felipe will be better then Emerson but not as good as Melgarejo. Also, unless Maxi or Andre Almeida get traded (also Silvio may have a future at Benfica), I can't see Luis Felipe getting many minutes at all. Djavan however has experience in the Portuguese League and capped 27 games for Academica in his debut season last year. He may have experience but he was also acquired on a free transfer which means as of right now (unless JJ has some crazy idea in which he almost always does) Loris Benito is currently Benfica's LB. He is young, and has no experience playing in Portugal which makes me wonder if he is ready for the task at hand? On the other hand for Benfica to spend 3M and have him scouted by Rui Costa, it should show us some indication as to what we can expect from the young Swiss LB.

 

If the Arabs came and bought Benfica with oil money and budgets were no options, signing Siqueira and bringing back Fabio Coentrao would solve Benfica's LB situation. Unfortunately, Benfica may be the biggest and most supported team throughout the world but what they have in fans they lack in funds. Benfica must live within their means and be strategic when acquiring these players. Signing players on the free like Djavan provides depth on the bench. However, paying ridiculous amounts of money for players for multiple South American wingers and attacking mid fielders, and keeping the salaries of players who barely lift their legs off of the bench is something in which continues to occur at Benfica. It's time for Benfica to slowly cut the fat off and continue to build for the future.