Fernando is a fine player and I wish him luck someday with the Brazilian side, not ours. Prefiro perder com jogadores nacionais do que ganhar com estrangeiros. Then again, I'm OK with Pepe because I recall him recusing the Brazilian team a year or so before he had Portuguese citizenship, and he is good enough that he probably would have been selected. I don't recall any similar emotions from Fernando. But if there was such a statement well in advance of him becoiming a citizen, then I'd say welcome him in. Short of that, I wish him luck with the Brazilian side.

Fernando is an excellent, under-rated midfielder, but he is still young. I think that he probably wants to play for the Brazilian national team because he is definitely good enough. Brazil has a few good holding midfielders like Lucas and Ramires, but none of them are as good defensively as Fernando.

If he does want to represent our Seleccao, he'd be a great addition, but I am not really the biggest fans of naturalized players. Pepe is an extremely important player to us and Deco was one of our greatest ever midfielders, but I would rather see us producing our own talent than counting on Brazilians.

While I would agree that Artur has had a shaking pre-season, I think that part of this has to do with all 4 starting defenders being gone. Half the goals we’ve conceded had to do with defenders losing the ball in front of net.

Luisao and Garay are coming back after both Argentina and Brasil got knocked out of the Copa. Also Capdevilla should be a great replacement for Fabio on the LB. All that will be left is waiting for Super Maxi to return.

As for Eduardo, he’s a good back up to have this season while Mika develops more and we figure out what’s happening with Julio/Roberto (both keepers with great potential but both had a horrible year last season). If Artur continues to have a hard time once we get our starting defenders back, at least now we have a reasonable back up to take the spot. Also if Eduardo does take the number 1 spot, there’s a good chance Benfica will just buyout his contract from Genoa.

People seem to be finding it strange that Eduardo has been loaned for a season? I don't at all...if he wasn't what would we have for keepers...Roberto's on his way out, so we'd have (1.) Artur (who had just half a good season for Braga last year...and who's looked quite shakey in these pre-season matches so far), (2.) Julio Cesar (who doesn't fill me with confidence) and (3.) a young untested Portuguese keeper...what if Artur got injured? Julio Cesar or Mika would have to become a first teamer! No i think it's an excellent move, both for Benfica and for Eduardo to get his confidence back. To the people who think Patricio should be the national team's number one...have they forgotten the 13 goals he conceded against Bayern in the champions league??!! Eduardo, to me, proved at the World Cup, that not only is he definitely the best Portuguese keeper, he is also one of the best keepers in world football, when at his best...

I quoted preziosi 'Eduardo will be going to Benfica on a one-year loan and nobody will be coming from Portugal to Genoa. One year outside Italy may do him good',,do you guys know what his statement mean?..yeah..benfica have no chance to sign eduardo permanently,,genoa just want to loan him outside,and they hope eduardo can get his great form back,and then they will get eduardo back in 2012/2013 season...so pls give him a starting eleven position JJ,because Genoa need him in 2012/2013 season..
Talking about garay,,this is good move for him..luisao's time is over,,i'd like to see garay to be partnered with vitor in CB position,,luisao must be sold..i know he's been the most reliable CB in Benfica in four years..but now his turn is over,,give the younger player their spot...there are many talented CB in benfica,,which is portuguese,,like Vitor,Faria,and Miranda

A thought that it was a strange move by both parties, Eduardo and Benfica.
I know that many feel that I'm crazy, but Roberto could still compete and eventually be our keeper. A year away just might do him good.
As for this season, I just hope that someone grabs the reigns wins the job and keeps it.

The key to our goalies performance will have a lot to do with our defense, which has to be better than last year.

The best news Benfica got was Argentina and Brazil both out of the Copa. Now if we could just get Uruguay out and bring Maxi home, it would be nice.

Capdevilla is interesting but he just might be the backup on the left. He will need rest throughout the season. Thirty three isn;t old for a center back but it is for a wide player.
I would still love Ansaldi, but he's not cheap.

A WELL KNOWN FRANGEIRO IN ITALY WHO WILL COME TO LISBON TO LEARN TO MAKE FRANGOS LIKE ROBERTO. S.L.BOSTA, THE CLUB THAT LOVES IT'S CHURRASCO.

I think that Eduardo made the right choice. He can be world class on his day, but he definitely has had plenty of frangos(more than Roberto last season)... Hopefully he can regain his confidence after the nightmare he had in Italy. I personally think that Rui Patricio is, without a doubt, the best Portuguese keeper so Eduardo will need to improve his performances if he wants to remain Portugal's number one.

Luisao is a great centerback, but we don't have a great partner for him. Vitor looked good in the first two preseason games, but he has looked very shaky recently. While, I still think that he has potential and a place on the team, he is not good enough to start. Jardel is decent, but nothing special, and Roderick is still not ready for Benfica. Therefore Garay is arguably our best signing this season. He didn't get much playing time in Madrid, but he had to play behind two of the best defenders in the world. Give him time and he'll prove to be an excellent replacement for Luiz.

I also recently read that Capdevila is coming to Benfica. He's a good player with tons of experience, but he's 33 so I am not sure about this decision. I would rather have Ansaldi or another talented young defender.

What is wrong with this team instead of buying all these so so players invest in someone with some ability.

Artur will be benfica first choice and eduardo can sit bench we should sell roberto and Bang there u have it Artur is a great and eduardo could be a nice back up not bad

Rumours are Capdevilla can be had for no fee and that Benfica are favourites to land him. Looks like Benfica will land their own diving master now.

Man, Benfica sure has been active this transfer window, and by that I mean they are buying more than they are selling. They are really shaping up to be quite the powerhouse this season. Add in Sporting's new look and Porto's new (unexperienced) coach, this is gonna be an awesome year. Should be very interesting!

As for Eduardo, I was kind of surprised he was making the move over, especially since Genoa said they were contacted by Benfica. It seems like they are stacked in the keeper department this upcoming season with Artur and Mika there. Besides, isn't Roberto still a Benfica player? Or did I miss something? Whatever the case is, if I was Roberto, I would be preparing for a move.

As for Garay, that was an awesome buy. Period. LFV has done some impressive things this window. Never thought I would say that.

thanks Braga