On August 6, 2015, Greek International Kostas Mitroglou joined Benfica for a season long loan spell from Fulham. The 28 year old Mitroglou was rated a "bust" after joining Fulham on January 31, 2014 from Olimpiacos. According to EPL pundits Mitroglou was not only Fulham's biggest transfer in the club's history (approximately £12 million) but has been considered one of the biggest "flops" ever in English Premier League history.
Mitroglou went through his hardships playing in the most competitive league in the world. It is a lot of pressure for one individual to save a team from English Premier League relegation. Mitroglou suffered an injury upon arrival at Fulham and was out for two months. When healthy, Mitroglou only played in three Fulham matches and after being relegated at the end of the 2013/14 season,
Mitroglou returned to Greece joining Olimpiacos for the 2014/15 season where he proved that he was no "bust" scoring 16 goals in 24 matches becoming the second best goal scorer in the Greek Super-league and more importantly contributing to Olimpiacos' fifth consecutive league title.
"He needs good players around him, and when he was at Olympiacos he had good players around him and he scored goals in the league and in the Champions League, which proved how good he was" - Roy Carroll, Former Olimpacos Goalkeeper.
Carroll makes a good point which is why Mitroglou has enjoyed quite the successful season at Benfica. As he how is now referred to as "Mitrogolo", Mitroglou has scored 16 goals in 25 league matches making him Benfica's second best goal scorer this season behind Jonas. Mitroglou has also scored 2 goals in the Champions League and scored against Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Cup. He is a fan favorite at the Luz and has claimed the hearts of Benfica fans young and old showing his love and hard work while wearing the Eagle on his chest.
Mitroglou's loan at Benfica is quite comparable to the loan of Fabrizio Miccoli at Benfica during 2005-2007 where he was not only cherished by the fans but had a great work rate at the club netting 14 goals in 39 appearances. Sadly, Miccoli did not sign with Benfica (joined Palermo) and at this moment there is no word as to whether or not Mitroglou will permanently join Benfica in the future.
Mitroglou more then likely will finish this season at Benfica with approximately 20 goals(maybe more) in the Liga Nos. In the unlikely event that Benfica do not purchase him from Fulham which one of these Benfica forwards will be able to reach or surpass Mitroglou's goals during the 2016/17 season:
Raúl Alonso Jiménez (2 goals in 22 Liga matches)
Luka Jović ( 0 goals, 3 Liga matches including B Team)
Nélson Oliveira (9 goals in 28 matches at Nottingham Forrest)
Jonathan Rodríguez (0 goals in 12 matches at Deportivo)
Victor Andrade (1goal in 20 matches for Benfica, Benfica B, and Guimaraes)
Francisco Vera (1 goal in 16 matches for Benfica B)
Bilal Ould-Chikh (0 goals, 12 matches for Benfica B)
Ivan Šaponjić (4 goals 12 matches for Benfica B)
Nuno Santos (2 goals 6 matches for Benfica B)
Euciodálcio Gomes (0 goals, 10 matches at Benfica B)
Oliver Šarkić (3 goals in 24 matches at Benfica B)
Sancidino Silva (5 goals in 30 matches at Benfica B)
Diogo Gonçalves (4 goals in 27 matches at Benfica B)
Although Benfica have had a financially successful year, to purchase an international forward like Mitroglou for an estimated £8-12 million seems fiscally irresponsible. Based on the data above, other then Jonas, and Mitroglou Benfica don't have a dominate goal scorer. There are many goals which are created from our strong mid of Sanches, Pizzi, Gaitan, Samaris and others. In the unlikelihood that Jonas and Mitroglou leave at the end of the season, Benfica will have to spend top dollar to find their replacements. Going into next season based on the numbers above. Benfica need to keep Mitroglou. It is true that Benfica do not have the deep pockets of Manchester City, PSG, Barcelona and many others but acquiring a striker of Mitroglou's price tag is realistic then for Benfica to purchase a big named player for £30-£40-£50 million.
Benfica recently acquired the rights of Pizzi for approximately £12 million from Atlético Madrid. He is now considered Benfica's biggest signing in history. Benfica are also currently apart of a lucrative deal with NOS which will be worth £400 million over a ten year period. Also, Benfica have not only been successful in their domestic league but have their best UEFA Champions League campaign in five years. If eliminated during the Quarter - Finals, Benfica will take home anywhere from £28 - £30 million from their successful UEFA Champions League campaign.
To allow a player of Mitroglou's quality to leave Benfica due to lack of funds seems unbelievable considering Benfica's financial success this season. It would be a missed opportunity as Mitrogolo has a lot to offer for Benfica at 28 years old.
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