Impressions from the Eusebio Cup

Today I attended at Estadio da Luz to watch Benfica do battle with Ajax.  As such, having attended all their preseason matches I will provide an updated progress report here on the preseason.

From the outset I will deal with the two signings this week Bebe and Eliseu.  To call the "reforcos" may be a bit of a stretch.  Having seen them play last season I don't know that they are any better than the option we already have at those respective positions.  Bebe may have potential to improve while Eliseu is a veteran and maybe has one good year left in him.  The timing may have been good for Eliseu as Benito had his worst preseason match this far.  That said, Eliseu did not look good at all.  Neither did Bebe.  But it is too early to pass judgement as they have only trained with the squad for two days.  Even the next game they play won't be enough to pass a definitive judgement on them .  By the end of the tournament in England in the next few days we should have a better idea.

Now as for the rest of the players:

Salvio - struggled some, should have performed better with Maxi as those two have played together on the same wing for years.

Derley - he shows flashes of natural talent but he still hasn't learned the system and the movements to perfection.  I think he can perform better with more time under JJ's tutelage.

Cesar - his worst game so far.

Sidnei - played better than last game..

Joao Cancelo - its becoming clear that he should be the backup to Maxi and stay on the "A" squad.

Andre Almeida - had some good plays and some mess-ups.  Just got back this week.  We know his quality and multi-positional utility.

Ruben Amorim - solid.

Talisca - this kid can play.  Again showing he is a workhorse, showed some great technical ability on a few plays.  Continues to learn the system more and more.  An excellent signing.

Ola John - played well again.  He will likely be the third selection for wing but is definitely working hard to become one of the starting two.

Jara - definitely played hard.  Miserable penalty attempt.  Today he played better than Derley but I'm still doubtful he will remain on the squad though JJ is giving him opportunities.

Overall, the team played well.  Had some sloppy breakdowns but these will be corrected with more training and correction from the coach.  The new talent has brought some very good quality in Talisca, Cancelo, Benito, and Joao Texeira.  I think these 4 will stay.  The return of Ola John is very positive.  We get Enzo back this week and what I expect to be the two starting defenders : Luisao and Lisandro Lopez have not yet touched the field in a game.  I still question the utility of signing Bebe and Eliseu not because of their weak performances today, but because they don't really enhance the quality of the team at any position.  Would the money spent on them not have been better spent retaining Siqueira ? Investing it in Guilavogui ?  These are questions that remained unanswered for now.  Given the quality we know Djavan has was it really wise to sign Eliseu, an older player we will never be able to sell and recover the investment on ?  The answer will depend on how he performs.

As an assessment of the continued progress of the new players I think we can be happy Cesar and Benito though they need more improvement; Cancelo and Teixeira as well I think will be good additions.  Talisca was an excellent signing.  The return of Ola John is also positive.

As for the remaining players, our midfield is essentially the same as last year with Ruben, Enzo, Gaitan, Salvio, Almeida and now with Talisca added.  Very strong.  Fejsa returns in january to make it even stronger and Teixeira is a good addition of young blood to that group.

The defence will be as strong.  Lisandro Lopez played as well last season in Spain as Garay did for us. Still have Luisao and Maxi.  Benito/Eliseu and possibly Silvio leaves our defence strong as well.

And for the attack we still have many dangerous players like Lima, Derley, maybe Oliveira, and the prodigy child who will only grow and grow, Victor Andrade.

And of course there are many other names that could reinforce this list too but thats the basic quick summary

CARREGA BENFICA !