Goal.com Summer Shopping: Who Should Benfica Buy? - Goal.com

Goal.com Summer Shopping: Who Should Benfica Buy? - Goal.com

Goalkeepers:
Jose Moreira, Roberto Jimenez, Julio Cesar.

With the arrival of Roberto Jimenez from Atletico Madrid to replace Quim our #1 who has returned to Braga, Benfica should be all set at the goal keeping position.
Having said that, Braga has Eduardo, the starter for the Portuguese National Team on sale for 4 million $, that is a bargain; bad news is, it might be too late as Bayern Munich, Lyon, and Arsenal have been asking Braga about him after his impressive World Cup.

Defense:
Maxi Pereira-rb, Luisao-cb, David Luiz-cb, Sidney-cb, Miguel Victor-cb/rb, Fabio Faria-cb/lb, Cesar Peixoto-lb/lm, Jorge Ribeiro-lb/lm, Fabio Coentrao-lb/lm/lw, Luis Filipe-rb/rm.

Benfica dont really need much on defense, however Maxi needs a backup,as Luis Filipe is just not good enough, Ruben Amorim has pitched in and done well when Maxi was injured last season, maybe Mano from Belenenses or even Paulo Ferreira who is leaving Chelsea on a free transfer. Fabio Coentrao is the starter on the left side, but Benfica may have a hard time keeping him as his stock has risen due to his performance in the World Cup as the starter for the NT, Juventus, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are interested. Cesar Peixoto is a decent backup, but if Coentrao leaves, we will need someone else. Evaldo from Braga would be a good choice. Spanish newspapers say we want 19 year old lb, Marcos Alonso from Real Madrid. Good choice.
On the central defense we are deep. The starters Luisao/David Luiz are one of the best duos in European football. If David Luiz leaves as expected, Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid are interested, any one of the backups will be able to step up. Luis Filipe and Jorge Ribeiro are good guys, but they will most likely be told to find new teams.
Haliche the Benfica player who was on a two year loan at Nacional da Madeira is for sale. He had a good World Cup with Algeria, and Arsenal is rumored to be interested.

Midfield:
Javi Garcia-dm, Airton-dm, Ramires-cm, Ruben Amorim-cm, Carlos Martins-cm, Nico Gaitan-am, Pablo Aimar-am, Filipe Menezes-am.

The midfield could use a couple new faces. The defensive midfield is all set with Javi and Airton, Ramires and Ruben can pitch in as well. In the right side, Ramires will be the starter and Ruben will be his backup. On the left side, we have the biggest unkown, Angel Di Maria has left for Real Madrid for 30 million euros and Nico was brought in as a replacement, but this will be Nico's first year in Portugal, he may need some time to settle down. One option could be to use Fabio here but this is unlikely as he is too good as a left back. Benfica could have brought in Ricardo Quaresma or Helder Barbosa (yes, the FC Porto product), but they signed with new teams. The Greeks say we are interested in Leto, if true, not a bad choice. Pablo Aimar will be the starter in the attacking midfield, right behind the two forwards, Carlos Martins will be his backup, but with the injury concerns on both of them, Benfica may look somewhere else, Anderson from Man U has been rumored and the player has shown interest in coming here, but then again, any player would welcome a transfer to the mighty Portuguese giants SL Benfica. Dont laugh, but Hugo Viana would be a good choice, Valencia wants to let him go, and he is Portuguese.
Hassan Yebda, who just like his compatriot Haliche had a good World Cup is rumored to have several teams asking about him in England and France. He would be a good choice to stay but Jorge Jesus is not too keen on him.

Forwards:
Javier Saviola, Oscar Cardoso, Alan Kardec, Weldon, Nuno Gomes, Eder Luis, Franco Jara, Mantorras.

Saviola and Oscar Cardoso are the starters, but with Cardoso complaining about wanting a new contract, he will most likely be sold, Everton and Man City are interested. Jara is a great Argentine striker, he will replace Cardoso just fine, Eder Luis is leaving on a one year loan deal to Vasco Da Gama in Brazil. Mantorras has asked to be released so he can get playing time on another team, which I am not sure he is going to get with his injury problems, but Setubal is interested.
Maybe Benfica could do with one more striker, but only if Cardoso leaves as Jara, Nuno Gomes and Kardec will do just fine. In Spain the newspapers say that Rodrigo, the under 21 Spanish international from Real Madrid is on his way here.