Looking at this from a different perspective..

By the looks of it I thought Benfica would lose more...

I like Ramires a lot but he was going to play another season without rest, and he definitely wasn't the same player in the second half of last year after 2 seasons with no time off.

I thought we would lose Cardozo, Luis, and Coentrao as well as DiMaria so I am cool with only losing those two.

Ramires would tire, and DiMaria is like CR.. except without the scoring ability.. they both can't make a cross or pass to save their life.

So I am happy the key pieces will be around... Luis is more important than Ramires & DiMaria together.. add to that the other two and woohoo addition by the lack of subtraction.

But let me clear up a few things..

Mike #1 Fan from the US.. this isn't the NFL or the corrupt court systems in North America.. so paid slavery isn't as fashionable and is on the verge of being erradicated altogether.

After the European Courts ruling in the Bosman case.. the directive from FIFA is no hard ball over any player and their contract.. if someone wants to move and their is buyers they will never be turned away. Where some think team greed is in the way.. it is actually teams protecting their ability to demand transfer fees for a player (white slavery or black depending on the player) is the true factor at work.

So Mike when you say they are being offered a lot of money and TOO Much change in one year is not good.. I am sure you are missing this aspect. To a certain extent they have no choice. They will only not sell to a team that offered nothing...

Another misconception is that the clubs are trying to cash in, when in actual fact the majority of transfer rumours are started by the agent of the player who is looking to cash in a new deal that will increase their pay.

Of course the players want to make more money, and play for big clubs but if that club doesn't value them.. then they will never get there.

Luisao is one of the worst.. every year a reported ton of teams are interested in him.. courtesy of his agent.. but even though Benfica would sell him on to anyone that would compensate them fractionally.. we are talking 5 mil Euros.. there is no takers.. although they have a million rumours.. and he has wanted out bad for years.. and has even said the team is treating him unfairly by not giving out a free transfer.. the whole situation is a farce.. and expect him to tank again this year as he did 3 seasons ago.

The other thing that bothers me immensely is not only the talk of Peixoto playing a full time role..

Jorge of the Jews man was useless and Portugal & Benfica were very fortunate that he was because Coentrao would've never got into the starting roster.

Jorge of the Jews hates Portuguese even though he is one.. which is consistent with Management in Portugal, the FPF, and even Hitler that was a partial Jew but hated them anyways.

I will add my nick for JJ is not slanted.. my wife's young aunt is Maria De Jesus so I call her in jest Maria of the Jews because of the way it sounds.. no anti-semtic anything.. I love Jews especially Jesus.. besides Jorge of the Jews does not walk on water, and his whine is different then the others wine.

For JJ he would rather see another start except by sheer force the luck of a Pork Chop, the only Chop he likes is the worst.. Peixe Ho in my Toe.

For all those that protested early... Coentrao was outplaying DiMaria in a sub role.. but DM got the starts.. then when the P Ho injured himself JJ moved him there figuring his poor D would fail him and he could comfortably bench him when others returned..

JJews could not be more wrong.. Coentrao owned them all.. and for all the near-sited fans that only breathe & sleep their team they overlooked COENTRAO.. amazing two way player.. for the NT.. which brings me on to the next upset..

at the same time that I preached Coentrao I talked about Amorim who for the most part was a sub.. was brought in for the Nat in the same role and was spotted by some big sides for playing so few minutes.. that I can all understand.. but you the Martins should play on the wing or others that suggest Amorim is only a defensive solution have no excuse..

You must have seen him as many times as I have.. and none of us will argue.. he is a shut down guy.. he stones the opposition.... not a huge flair guy.. he will never be compared to Quaresma..

thank God...

his ability is as a team player..
great passer..
and his other skill which Jorge of the Jews robbed us of was his ability to score rampantly with amazing shots.. clutch game winning goals.. in the rare occassion he was out there.

I think like Coentrao he might have been spotted last year even though they were placed in a position to fail.. because they didn't go away quietly is not only a testament to their strength and sheer quality. Both are amazing not only defensively but going forward.

Ramires being lost might be a blessing.. because Amorim needs to play more.. although those seeking the Flashy Q will be disappointed.. those that like winning will get a steady diet of that.

Given the chance Amorim will be an anchor for the NAT on the right wing.. because you need balance to be successful and having too many of the the same type of players creates holes. That is why I always laugh at the CR & Q pairing.. it has always resulted in failure.. every good army needs foot soldiers and team players.

For the record I will state that I would rather see Nani instead of CR on the left because Nani can pass and cross with Amorim on the right (I know radical), even the Queer Eyes has never maximized CR.. instead of 2 strikers to work with CR was always left with one or he was the only one.. a recipe for failure... even for one of the greatest ever.

Jorge Jesus stated that he would make sure everyone at Benfica including Di Maria would have stayed for atleast 1 more year. Thats a broken promise and now Coentrao, Luiz, Ramires, and Cardozo were all in talks? Please no more deals.

benfica should prepare to find their replacement ASAP if they leave..i hope faria will earn his spot if luiz leave...but for ramires...does anyone know??