What if Enzo Perez and Gaitan are sold ?

In football players have clauses that any team can pay to release them for a transfer.  In this case it is 45 million euro for Gaitan and 30 million for Enzo Perez.  The coach and supporters have to be prepared for this possibility as they are two quality players that are in demand right now given their brilliant season with Benfica.  So what if, as rumoured, Monaco pays that to release Gaitan and similarly Valencia does for Enzo Perez ?

Well it will mean Benfica is flush with another 75 million euros on top of the nearly 100 million in sales already executed this offseason.  That means Benfica will be forced to make two more signings in addition to the 3 already demanded by coach Jorge Jesus at the post-game presser yesterday.  This would put Benfica into a more starkly rebuilding phase as those two players are fundamental pieces in Jorge Jesus' game plan.  I don't agree with those who say it would be calamitous.  The club just two season ago lost Witsel and Javi Garcia just as the season began and was able to find replacements that adapted quickly.

In the case of Enzo, if he leaves, the club has a player already there who could start immediately - Rubem Amorim - while whomever the new signing is could develop some time to adapt with weeks of training.  If Gaitan leaves, well the club is flush with excellent wingers but Gaitan does bring something more than the talent typical of an excellent winger.  He is able to bring the game more inside and play very effectively up in front of the net too.  His creative abilities are sometimes that only thing that can break the 10 man defences of some of the Portuguese league opponents.  He will be harder to replace as he is a player who brings so much to the table.  But in terms of tactical options, Benfica has many players who will be able to fill that role while his replacement adapts as well.  Pizzi may have the most similar characteristics.

So while it would be difficult for supporters to see the exits of these players at this stage of the season, remember that it would not be without precedent, and wouldn't be impossible to overcome.
What it would mean is that there would be an immediate large infusion of cash and subsequent signing of top quality replacements.  On the balance one must consider this:  given the season Benfica had, they will never be able to command more $$$ for these players than they can now.  They are 27 and 28 years of age. Making those sales now at such a high price will allow the club to avoid making sales next year and the year after because of the financial health it will help bring to the club.  So in that sense it is not all bad.  If Benfica spends 20 of that 75 million on 2 replacements for these roles specifically, that will assure some very high quality young talent and still have 55 million in the bank to help prevent and/or delay selling any of the best talent next year.

The biggest risk however, is the domino effect their departure could have on other veteran players.  Will Maxi or Luisao want to stick around if there two depart ?  Will other top players want to sign for a team that allows (or is forced) these two to leave ? Will the coach quit if these two depart ?  These are the more serious questions and consequences that have to be considered.  In my view the situation requires urgent intervention.  The President, Rui Costa and Jorge Jesus need to have an emergency meeting and ideally with the two concerned players or their representatives to clarify:

1. who the new keeper is and when he will be signed
2. who else will be added to the roster and when
3. reiterate the focus on winning

Enzo and Gaitan may decide to stay no matter what the offer is if such assurances are clearly articulated.  If top signings are planned for the next few days it doesn't make sense to announce them after a transfer of Enzo or Gaitan is consummated.  They need to be in on the loop to help them decide to stay.  Decisive days, we await...