Benfica's Miguel Vitor ruled out for a month
Youngster sustains muscle tear as defensive overhaul continues
 After watching Miguel Vitor hobble off early during Sunday’s pre-season friendly with Anderlecht, the news that he will be sidelined for a month will not come as much of a surprise to Benfica fans. Reports in Portugal this morning suggested that the 22 year-old, who spent last season on loan at Leicester City, has suffered a muscle tear, and will be unavailable to Jorge Jesus for the next four weeks.
This is a time frame which includes the upcoming Champions League Third Qualifying Round meeting with Trabzonspor; a potential Champions League Playoff Round tie should Benfica overcome their Turkish opposition; and the first two rounds of the Liga ZON Sagres season.
Vitor has been one of the more impressive performers during Benfica’s pre-season, and his absence continues a trend of uncertainty at the heart of the Eagles’ defence. Captain Luisao has been absent on Copa America duty, but that has not stopped intense speculation about a possible move to newly-flush Paris Saint Germain. Reports in today’s papers state that Benfica will not enter into any negotiations for the club’s longest-serving player, but should the offer from France rise above the currently-rumoured €8M, some heads at the Luz would perhaps be turned, given Luisao’s age.
Yet after a pre-season littered with defensive errors, few would dispute the Brazilian’s continued importance to Jorge Jesus, particularly given the need to integrate a new defensive face, Ezequiel Garay. After signing from Real Madrid last week, the Argentine confirmed via his Twitter page that he would be arriving in Lisbon today. Given Benfica’s defensive shortages, supporters can expect to see the 24 year-old sooner rather than later.
Also expected to wrap up his move to the Luz today is European and World Champion Joan Capdevila. Both A Bola and Record report that the 33 year-old will sign a two-year contract with the Eagles, after slipping down the pecking order at Villarreal. Brazilian Emerson is expected to provide the Spaniard with competition for the left-back spot vacated by Fabio Coentrao – the Brazilian told reporters on Monday that his €2.5M transfer from French Ligue 1 champions Lille to the Luz was on the verge of completion, subject to a medical.
Garay, Capdevila and Emerson could all feature in tonight's presentation match against Toulouse, at the Estadio da Luz.
Ben Shave
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I didn't want a Luis situation to develop, and if Luisao truely wanted out, let him go. But I will not disvalue his importance to this club. He will make life easier for all the newbies, including the goalie.
Yes I might be looking at stuff through "Gloriosos" eyes but I love this statement;
"os muitos disparates que têm sido escritos» sobre a situação dele, e desdramatizou o enredo construído em torno do seu regresso ao Benfica, dizendo: «No domingo estou aí!"
It's a shame that Uruguay is still in the Copa, or we would have our defense intact. Maxi only having a year left in his deal is also worriesome. Almeida is our only other listed right back. Wass is already out on loan, so I can only assume that a new deal will be done so we don't lose him for nothing.
I would like to add that I know Portuguese will be hard fought to root for Capdevilla. I get it.
But the fact remains that he will bring a wealth of experience to the table. He is also a "name" that will bring respect/calls on the field. Lastly, he was a free transfer.
In looking at numbers spent, we have been very active, but due to Coentrao's fee, we are still at a profit in the transfer market.
Unlike Porto, we have not overpaid for any of our guys either. Granted they still have to produce, but we didn't have to go out and spend over their current market worth (according to several sites, none are Benfica's).
We all do..
Sorry to see Vitor go out especially when he was playing so well..
Also Capedevilla will definitely not impress me.. the big douching diver.. just brings the game into disrepute. Definitely won't be cheering for him.
With him covering Hulk it is just a matter of time before they both go down untouched on the same play...
Anyways looking for to seeing Garay.. and Luisao will bolt if he gets a big enough contract.. he has been trying to for years.
Hopefully he doesn't get sucky again like he did a few years ago when he tanked.. a repeat of the Luis situation.
Luisao has been quite useful the last few years.. it would be sad to see him go.
As for Capdevila being too old, just look at other defenders in their 30’s Carvalho, Zanetti, Luisao, etc… I think having older players on defense isn’t a bad thing as it brings big game experience. I’m also interested in seeing Emerson in action. He’s been in France for a couple of years now and just won the French championship, still in his mid-20s, so he could be a great player.
Although Vitor has showed well, we still look shaky up the middle. I'm afraid that playing Javi there is not the answer either.
Like Benfica, I too feel that losing/selling Luisao would be a mistake. His age isn't as big a worry due to his position. Centerbacks are not old at 30 years old. He is familiar with not only the manager, but the team/club atmosphere and could be key in getting newcomers acclamated.
The problem is going to come in if PSG ups its offer to 10 mil and provides him with a salary increase. We could have another David Luis situation on our hands and that's not good.
I would like to think that he would want to stay at Benfica especially with the CL looming, but sometimes money trumps everything.
To further mudder the waters, Jardel hasn't exactly played well enough to easy the the possible pain.
Let me add that Garay now seems like a great option/buy, if he didn't before.
Let's hope that Vitor recovers quickly, but also that we don't rush him back, and have to seal with the injury long term. I can't believe that I'm saying this, but we need the depth he brings.
As for Capdevila I will be curious to see what he brings. We all know that he has loads of experience and with him wanting to be on the Spain squad, it should bring the effort. 33 is old for a wide player, so Emerson could be key, if not a great piece of business due to his cost.
Although we now have multitude of options in the middle, it's imperative to get our backline and goalie situation straightened out. They need to function as a unit, and with so many new faces that coudl take time that we don't have.
where are the portugues signings!!..and his age...