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| Monday, 03 September 2012 16:35 |
Zenit Saint Petersburg buy Hulk and WitselRussian club pay huge transfer fees for Porto and Benfica stars An astonishing afternoon of transfer activity unfolded in Portugal today, as FC Porto forward Hulk and Benfica midfielder Axel Witsel were bought by Zenit Saint Petersburg. Both clubs are to receive €40 million euros in exchange for their prize asset. The Russian club paid more for Hulk, but Porto owned only 85% of his rights.
When the summer transfer window in Western Europe shut at midnight last Friday, it appeared that Portugal’s two strongest clubs had managed to hold on to their key players, at least until January. However, the window closes later in Russia (6 September), and the business concluded today means both Hulk and Witsel will be playing their football alongside Portugal internationals Danny and Bruno Alves in the Russian Super League. Thanks for the memoriesHulk’s official debut for FC Porto at the Estadio do Dragão in the first league match of the 2008/09 season against Belenenses was notable for two incidents. The Brazilian hit a free-kick so hard into his own player, Mariano Gonzalez, acting as a decoy in the wall, that the unfortunate Argentine was ruled out of action for three weeks with a knee injury. Soon afterwards Hulk struck a rocket-propelled shot into the top corner of the net from 25 yards. The Porto faithful had a new hero.It soon became evident that the Brazilian forward plucked from the obscurity of Japanese football would be grabbing attention for more than just his marvellous nickname. Carlos Carvalhal, the ex Sporting coach once said: “with all due respect to the rest of the players in this country, Hulk does not belong here - he is too good for the Portuguese league.” Few would argue. Indeed, it is something of a surprise Porto have been able to hold on to Hulk for so long. As his moniker suggests, immense strength afforded by his stocky build is one of his foremost attributes. But what makes Hulk such an exciting player is the fact he allies raw speed, astounding acceleration and exceptional footwork to his powerful frame. Throw in a left foot that produces one of the most powerful shots in the modern game and there is little doubt that Hulk is a player who combines a unique set of talents. Indeed, the biggest surprise to many is that none of Europe’s biggest clubs from the more high-profile leagues - namely the English Premier League or La Liga - came in for the 26-year-old. The same applies to Axel Witsel. The Witsel factor The Belgian was one of Benfica’s final buys in the summer of 2011. Costing around €7 million euros, the elegant midfielder slotted smoothly into the Eagles’ midfield and immediately looked a special talent. Covering an immense amount of ground as he glided around the pitch, Witsel defended with real steel, and attacked with class and verve. The clever interchanging of short passes between Pablo Aimar, Witsel and Benfica’s battery of wingers and overlapping full-backs became a feature of Benfica’s play. It was precisely Witsel’s ability to combine the two roles so effectively that tempered coach Jorge Jesus’ tendency to put an over emphasis on attack, resulting in a more balanced team. As 2011/12 neared its climax, Benfica were at the top of the table and in the latter stages of the Champions League, but a late collapse saw the Lisbon giants ultimately fall short on both fronts. Many analysts point to a Liga match at Vitória Guimarães late in the season, in which Jorge Jesus, already missing the injured Javi Garcia, decided to rest Witsel for the first hour. Benfica lost, and a commanding lead at the top of the table over bitter rivals FC Porto was cut to reachable proportions just one week ahead of the clash between the two. Seven days later Porto won at the Estádio da Luz and went on to lift the title. Who will be missed the most?That is the question raging in Portugal tonight. Hulk carried such a threat for Porto that it was always the Incrível to whom the team turned when things were getting tough. Invariably he delivered. With the man bought to replace Falcao last summer, Kléber, failing to convince in 2011/12, much will depend on how much of a goal threat new Colombian striker Jackson Martínez will prove, and how young stars James Rodríguez and Christian Atsu react to having to carry a greater burden of the attacking threat.Witsel undoubtedly bolstered Benfica’s erstwhile soft centre. Together with the departure of Javi Garcia last Friday, Benfica fans will be fretting about a potential huge hole in the middle of the park. An abundance of dazzling talent on the flanks and up front promises plenty of goals for Benfica. But can they stop them at the other end? The double-whammy news will no doubt give a psychological boost to Braga, themselves weakened by the departure of Lima to Benfica last Friday, and Sporting. It is difficult to argue that both Porto and Benfica will be significantly weaker for having lost Hulk and Witsel respectively. Can Sporting, without the draining participation in the Champions League, and Braga, who have made such impressive steps to reel in the traditional powerhouses in Portugal, now mount a serious title challenge? Breeding groundA final thought. While it is disappointing for fans of Portuguese football to see two truly magnificent players leave, the transfer fees they commanded further serves to illustrate that the Liga Zon Sagres is a fertile breeding ground for many of the game’s biggest stars in their formative years.High-quality coaching and the promise of regular European football makes the country an attractive proposition for up-and-coming talent of all nationalities. Those looking for the next Hulk or the next Witsel would do well to keep their eyes trained on the Liga Zon Sagres. by Tom Kundert |
The reason I wrote it was not in the hope that someone would elucidate me, but to state how ridiculous the rivalry between Benfica and Porto has become. So ridiculous that most supporters are too blind with hate to see the obvious.
Sorry for rant.
Seems odd to say the least but 40 million should be a good amount to find a few new pieces to fill the squad.
What Porto has accomplished the last few decades is amazing.. you will never hear me complain about that.
Also PDC has done a fantastic job in restocking his cupboards on many occasions.
Most importantly unlike LFV he also has a great eye for Managers... even Pereira I consider above JJ as he took a lesser squad last season and beat Benfica once again after one of JJ's famous seasons. When JJ has had superior squads and lost many seasons.
Like NJ said I believe Benfica has had the talent advantage 3 out of the last 4 years but Porto ended up winning 3 out of 4 years, not because they didn't have the manpower or players capable of doing it, mostly because JJ is too incompetent to actually see who is playing well, tactically inept to change formations on a game to game basis, he does it season to season, and because he is a jester on the sidelines.
Over the last 15 years Real Madrid has spent close to the same amount of money as a small country does on food as they do on players.. for most of those years player for player they had the best or top 5 best team rosters in Europe, they have won zero Champions League Trophies in that time. Same could've been said for Chelsea and a few other teams, up until last year of course.
Once again your weak attempts at trying to get under the skin of Benfica supporters has ended in failure.
Benfica again this year has the best squad.. and in my estimation think Porto will win again.. not because I don't like the roster of players.. as man for man besides DM, & LB we have the greatest squad in the Liga. Which will make 4 out of the last 5 for the big loser JJ.
Funny thing Hairy Palms is that like Bryan you spend more time in Benfica threads than you do your own teams..?
Drink some more of the Green Hatorade.. you look thirsty.
I'm not as harsh as him on JJ, but our teams have folded on certain big occasions. The fact is, we do have a hugely talented squad that you can say has underachieved.
I will admit that we're now soft on the defensive side, but so is Porto. We'll now see if Porto can still keep up offensively.
By the way, Iturbe is chirping his displeasure, once again.
Plus, why leaving out players like Raul Meireles? And the plenty of others that didn't amount to any profit?
Hulk and Witsel were two great sales that FCP (especially) and Benfica have used us to, but more important is that the supporters ask themselves: if we make so many great sales, how is it possible that we're constantly on a financial distress?
The following link will take you to some of the deals Porto has made in the last decade. Pretty incredible.
http://www.balls.ie/2012/09/05/check-out-the-business-porto-has-done-over-the-last-decade/
I'm sure there were some stinkers bought with the money, but still pretty incredible.
This could make things more interesting in the liga. If Sporting can get its act together, it can capitalize on the turbulence and close the points gap. With this new cash Porto and Benfica could make some very interesting moves in the future as well though...
Iturbe may well be heir to the throne, but without Moutinho, Lucho and Helton (leader at the back), Porto would be much worse off. Moutinho is for me not just the best Porto player, but he was our best player on the Seleccao this summer. Watching the Euros in Canada and having to endure the completely biased commentators on CTV (horrible, uninformed) write Portugal off before the team even played a game. Then when they went far, it was "Ronaldo's home-coming".
Newsflash: Ronaldo is the most high-profile player on the Seleccao, not the most consistent or the best. On his day, he is top 2 in the world. Every other day, the Seleccao is Moutinho, Meireles, Coentrao and even Joao Pereira's playground.
Daniel, I agree, I'm elated we held on to Moutinho. I want to see what Iturbe can do. But what I really want, is for us to challenge for the CL this year. Without Hulk, it will be difficult.
Cheers.
Anyway I agree we have 3 promising Portuguese youngsters in midfield in the B team, all of which will surely be available to the senior team this season if needed. We must play them in the upcoming Taca matches to get them used to playing in the first team. Come January, if we still need another midfielder in the squad and he is available, then Manuel Fernandes would be a good player to sign. It might also be wise to recall Amorim in January from his loan spell with Braga, as he can provide cover at defensive midfield and right-back...
I will say that Roma has profited plenty due to Totti. He's much more than just a player at this time.
Iturbe replacing Hulk? LOL. Someone better let Pereira in on that one. I may agree with you but Pereira makes JJ seem World Class in the managerial department. Without Hulk bailing him out he'll actually have to do something. I have a feeling you'll see Lucho and Moutinho staring at each other a lot and shaking their heads. I figure Moutinho forces his way out come January.
This will be a make it or break it season for JJ.
We have some of the best scouts available at Vitor Pereira's disposal who are constantly finding the best young talents from around the world... or should I say South America haha James Rodriguez and Juan Iturbe are prime examples. We will bounce back from the sale of Hulk the same way we are currently bouncing back from the sale of Falcao.
Do you want to know who has REALLY been carrying our team lately?
JOAO MOUTINHO.
He's only been here for 2 seasons now but he's already proving to be a club legend in my eyes. I stayed up until about 3 am watching sky sports news hoping that we wouldn't be sold to Tottenham, and when he was, I was so relieved! People just don't notice him as much because he isn't banging in the goals like Hulk, but he's actually our best player, without him, his energy, his influence, his determination and obviously his technical ability, I don't know where we'd be. So please Portistas, calm down.
Don't get me wrong I'm devestated that Hulk has gone, but I'm trying to see the good side of this! It will finally mean that our young wingers (Iturbe, Atsu, Kelvin and James) will get more game time... Varela too. It would also gives Porto a great chance to perhaps a new playstyle, as normally it was Hulk dictating how we played, because the players passed to him so much.
As for who his replacement will be... well I personally want it to be Juan Iturbe, he's such a good player from what I've seen of him and I'm really disappointed that Vitor Pereira has refused to play him time and time again. James on the left wing, Jackson in the middle and Iturbe on the right, wonderful.
It really sucks that we sold Witsel after our transfer window closed. Manuel Fernandes would be a brilliant addition in January, but for now, I think we should give the likes of Andre Almeida and Andre Gomes a chance.
I've watched a couple Benfica B games this season, and I've really been impressed with Gomes. Like Witsel, he's very comfortable on the ball, and he doesn't shy away from a tackle. Almeida can be a decent back-up for Matic, but Miguel Vitor would definitely be the most defensively sound back-up for him.
The opposite of those guys are guys like Francesco Totti and Fabrizio Miccoli (the small bomber). Totti had the talent to play on any team he wanted, he never left Roma, always said no to any transfer, he was Roman for life (a very rare breed). Miccoli could of easily told Juve to “go f*** themselves” when they loaned him out to Benfica, but he came and brought a wonderful fun attitude with him, he also brought his A game and was a force on the pitch for Benfica. He followed that up with his 2 best seasons at Palermo yet always speaks very highly of his time in Portugal, class!
Just some random guys off the top of my head, both ends of the coin.
We are soon to be the 4th best league in Europe.. and because of our ability to sell players extremely well we have benefited greatly from it.. as many foreigners come to play in the Liga because it is a great platform to the most elite teams on the planet. Today's sale is only going to help us get more talent than others.. especially the Italians.. which will benefit us down the line.
Sure it means from time to time we have to sell some fantastic players that we cherished.. but that is the game my friend.
It is just the nature of the beast.. and it is up to PDC & LFV to restock the shelves with quality players so that the our teams don't miss out. These two sales hurt both Benfica & Porto so it is somewhat fair and balancing.
Porto won't be as strong offensively (although I see some others stepping for Hulk) and Benfica will be even more defensively liable without Witsel & Javi, so the only thing that could be hampered is the great CL runs both clubs were about to make.. Nj could be right.. it could mean curtains early for both.. hopefully resulting in Europa if they do get knocked out.. meaning more co-efficient points.
I knew the non-defensive line-up that JJ would go with when Javi was sold.. but now that Witsel was sold too.. it makes it more interesting..
Now personally I think sliding Vitor in Javi's slot and Matic into Witsel's spot would do nicely with Almeida & Gomes to back up both.. might even turn out to be better, given enough time to gel. but we all know that NJ is right and it will mean that JJ will play players out of position and will have Matic taking over for Javi & Martins or Gaitan) for Witsel which will make us exponentially weaker in my opinion.
As Matic is a better box to box.. and like NJ said Martins (& Gaitan are awful defenders) Benfica will be too offensive... create holes on defence.. not that the 2-1-7 formations recently deployed have been based on any sort of defence...lol
Unfortunately I think that JJ's line-up would be the worst core and option which leads me to believe that is what JJ will start with.
I feel like Samuel Jackson in Pulp fiction when he is sitting with Roth in the diner with a gun pointed in his face going through the Sheperd speech..
http://www.myspace.com/video/derrick/pulp-fiction-trying-to-be-the-shepherd/8112780
Now I want to believe that JJ will do the right thing and sheperd Benfica through the valley of darkness.. and be his Benfica bros keeper.. protecting them from evil tyranny.
But the truth is we all know JJ is the weak and us the fans will have to shoot him in the head to save some face (meaning figuratively fire his ass not actually shoot him).
Unfortunately we have no Samuel Jackson character to say some cool shit and put a couple caps into JJ's managerial career.
Anyways will have to wait a bit now to confirm JJ's complete & utter retardation.
Of course it will not cost us from getting our usual runners up badges for finishing 2nd or 3rd in the liga.. like those participation awards that some used to get in school when you lost an event. with the best squad in the Liga.. the result is quite predictable really from JJ's track record.
As everyone knows this is tough for Benfica as they dont have a chance to get a quality replacement and also most of their cm/dm players are young or out on loan ei David Simao, Ruben Amorim etc. I was thinking is Manuel Fernandes still available? Hes currently playing in Besiktas who last i heard are having some financial problems and may want to cash in.
So does anyone else think this is a good idea and if yes is it possible. Will he take a pay cut to come home?
I don't see hulk forcing his way out at all, seemed as though he just went along with it. If he forced a move it would have been to a bigger league. I would have much rather have seen him go to the EPL so I could see him play against huge teams. In Russia I won't bother to watch even if I could.
I hope Porto stops doing business with these companies to buy players and just buy 100% rights from now on. With all the money they make on transfers they shouldn't need these companies.
Also along with that, they should avoid buying expensive players when possible. They have such a low rate of working out. Cheaper acquisitions have been great for business
Also with russia league starting way earlier than western europe hence the shifted transfer window.
As others have pointed out, 40 million for a single player is simply too much for clubs like Benfica and Porto who are still struggling with debt, to turn down. It's as simple as that really. And this is the good news for both clubs. I think player's transfer ratings are just getting even more exagerrated as the years pass (even though we are in the middle of a global recession!)...and in my opinion there's no way that either player can be considered more important than 40 million euros. Both clubs are in debt don't forget, and both clubs have endured selling their best players down the years, and still remain the top 2 in Portugal and always competitive in Europe as well. So it's not all doom and gloom people...both clubs will move on like they always have. Benfica have made something close to 100 million euros with their summer sales and Champions League revenue from last season. Wiping out their debt has to remain a big priority for the club, this is the reality.
But that being said it would be naive to think that both moves won't hurt both clubs on the pitch, at least to start off with. I think Porto in particular will seriously miss Hulk. He's been their most important and influential player for each of the 4 seasons he's been at the club. They would not have won the Liga last season without his input, no question at all. And above all he was the captain and true leader of the team. All these factors will be mighty hard to replace.
Witsel will be missed too at Benfica, but not as much as Hulk i don't think. Yes Axel is a fantastic player and had a sensational debut season for us and was our player of the year. But he'd only been a year with us, not 4 years like Hulk. And the reality is we didn't win anything with him in the team last season, so he's not exactly indispencible. His energy and work-rate and all-round class will be missed in our midfield...but I don't think losing him will alter in any way how JJ will set us up to play, this will remain an attacking policy, to go for goals at all costs. We have players that can take his place: Matic, Martins or even Bruno Cesar. Or perhaps it is time to give the talented Portuguese youngsters like Almeida, Miguel Rosa or Andre Gomes a proper chance in the senior team.
Yes our midfield looks less strong after these 2 sales in the space just of a few days...but this Benfica squad hasn't quickly stopped being a strong squad just by losing Garcia and Witsel. We still have options in the squad (and funds to spend in January) to still make this a succesful season. And I would think Porto fans will think the same about their squad. The big Portuguese clubs have always had to sell their biggest talents abroad, since the days of Futre and Rui Costa and Figo etc etc...but they always continue to emerge as strong competitive teams...and this will continue, of that I am sure.
Especially Brazilian and Portuguese, why? That's not true, you should have kept the sentence at "the modern day footballer", but even that is arguable, because that always happened and it's a human trait, not a footballer's one.
And the modern day footballer, well, especially Brazilian and Portuguese ones, if you wave a big fat cheque in front of their face they will go anywhere. We've seen so many Portuguese players end up in Turkey & Russia in recent years, now Raul Meireles has joined the craze. Brazilians especially will play in any corner of the globe if you offer them enough money.
I'm more surprised about Witsel going there, I thought he would have more than just financial ambitions. Well, I hope they both enjoy the weather out there.
Maybe like Mario Jardel we will see Hulk return to Portuguese football one day, we shall see.
No single player is bigger than the club. FCP will be fine, we've been here before, and still won titles, and we'll do it again.
But Europe is the only great problem that comes from this. Domestically, the two clubs are still balanced between themselves, the money will be great for our league in general and this will force Vítor Pereira and Jorge Jesus to resort to younger players, which has a great long-term effect. Plus, for Benfica, this will probably mean a tactical adjustment, with the inclusion of Carlos Martins on the starting line-up, meaning that the club will (finally!) feature a Portuguese player again.
Secondly, I think it's a bit sad quite frankly that players are willing to move to worse leagues only because they get more money. Now, I don't blame them for wanting to capitalize on short career times, but I think it's ridiculous that clubs are allowed to be purchased by corrupt oil tycoons with unlimited pockets.
It's disgusting that world hunger still exists, yet clubs pay hundreds of millions of dollars every year to exchange players. I have come to despise the Chelseas, Man City's, PSG's and Zenit's of the world. I admire the Arsenals, Bayern Munichs and Porto's of the world that look to spend responsibly and develop players to sell at a profit. Ok, so the Arsenal model is a bit flawed but they are competitive every year and play beautiful football.
For Porto, this was a great deal. Hulk is brilliant, but to say he is too good to be in the league is ridiculous. The Liga Zon Sagres is the 5th best league in the world, with tons of young talent. It's time the league got some credit and attention.
To Hulk, thanks for the memories, and enjoy the frostbite. I love Hulk, but the move leaves me a bit sour.
Cheers
I always thought that Hulk would go, but Zenit was nowhere near my radar. I know people will say that he went to an inferior league and just took the money. To that I would like to remind people that Porto also took the money (I've heard 50 mil not 60) and Hulk will still get to play plenty of Champions League play. Considering how much Zenit is spending, they can paint a pretty picture to go along with all that cash. That being said, Hulk has most likely killed off his career. If he wanted to receive a ton of noterarity he should have forced an EPL or La Liga move. Yes he could still earn a CL title but he'll be in complete obscurity in league play.
As for Porto fans thinking they have plenty to cover for him leaving, I just don't see it. Who's going to score? Who's going to carry the club at times? I admit to being a harsh critic when it came to Hulk, but he was beyond valuable to Porto. In my opinion Pereira is also lacking so this can be devastating.
Porto will compete in league play but I just don't see a very long stay in the CL.
Witsel;
This was a bombshell for me. I was still reeling from the Javi move and his possible replacement or lack of there of, and this is dropped on Benfiquistas. I agree with Orlando that in looking back, this will hurt as badly as when we lost Ramires. DiMaria was the big name but the squad suffered more when Ramires left. I understand that Benfica had to take the money. You can't say no to 40 mil for a player after having him for a year with that kind of profit. I do like Matic, who's highly rated, and he could fill in for Witsel. The problem is that I see JJ using him as like for like Javi replacement. Matic is actually much better on the ball and sees the field better. But with Witsel gone, we will go back to the 4-4-2 (diamond middle) formation. Fine for league play, but we'll get killed in European play. If JJ goes to the 4-2-3-1, I see him using Martins alongside Matic, which will be disastrous. Martins isn't good enough defensively, doesn't track back well and tends to commit the bad foul or lose the ball in a bad spot on the field. Please keep in mind that Witsel also covered for Maxi as right back when necessary.
Let me add that adding Lima was a complete waste of time, unless Cardozo is slated to go in January. I also don't like adding players during the January transfer due to their inflated prices.
I know that some people have mentioned players from the B Squad, but I don't think that we're not able to bring them in now. Benfica is very thin at the back. Jardel is on the B Squad for whatever reason, when he should be on the bench on the main squad.
I also don't see a long European run for Benfica.
Benfica and porto will be business as usual in a couple of weeks and i sse them still being the top two.
I'm sad O Incrivel is gone, but that's a decent payoff.
I think Matic is a good player and this will be his season, I remember clearly that when Javi was picked up fans had little excitement in him since all he had done was sit on the bench at Real. However I agree that we are too thin on our defensive mid-fielders, this could be a good chance for someone like Almeida to get called up from the b-team. Last year JJ would play him as a rightback but he's better in the mid-field.
On a business note, how much did we pay for Witsel last year? 5, 6, 8mil?? Either way to clear over 30million profits from one player in one season is good money. I think with us hosting the CL next year we have more then enough depth in our forwards, wingers, and CF's, even if we lose a player in each of those positions, we'll still be very strong. LFV should focus on a strong signing in our fullbacks and DM's in the winter window to give us the depth we need but overall the rest of the team is still looks good.
Now on to Benfica! Wow is all I have to say. If they sell less than release clause I will be enraged! I couldn't believe they let go of Javi for €20 but least we still had Witsel but with no Witsel its bare In the CM. Its almost like they should go with a 5-3-2
--------------Artur-------------
Maxi-Sidnei-Garay-Luisão-Melgarejo
----Salvio-Cesar/Martins-Gaitan----
-------------Rodrigo-------------
-------------Cardozo-------------
I would prefer 3 CB over Matic starting at DM especially with all the defensive problems we already had! But damn even then the team is just do damn offensive. I hope it isn't true!
This sale has now blown the door wide open for other teams to capitalize. Although PDC has once again proven how great he is at making money, as a Portista, I have to wonder who can step in and fill Hulk's boots. I see Porto struggling to score this year which leaves the title race wide open. Pereira better have some tricks up his sleeves, and soon. Let's see how Porto's young talent reacts to the news and who wants to take Hulk's place.
As for Benfica, I think Witsel is a big loss, but I honestly think Benfica is impacted less by this sale than Porto's sale of Hulk. I realize Benfica fans may be concerned about their midfield, but I fully expect Benfica to continue their great play thus far and feed on a weaker Porto team.
I hope I am wrong and I know how many people do not like Hulk, but you can't disagree with his talent and how much he contributed to Porto. The Liga title race has now been blown wide open...
Now to Benfica..
What the ##@$!! Witsel and Garcia sold! Matic is garbage! unless they are switching to a 4-1-2-1-2 instead of their previous 4-2-3-1 formation, they are screwed. I cant believe this trade if its true.. goodbye Benfica title hopes if its true...
If Porto loses Hulk and wins the title again, I wouldnt be suprised... Benfica usually will always be the 2nd team if they make bad trades like this.
Im a Benfiquist by the way. A disappointed one at that.
But taking it for it's value.. on the outside it looks like Porto suffers more in this loss.. and I feel you.. Hulk in the CL was a different player.. and one that we will miss.. but his Diving Douche persona in the Liga will not be missed and the goals and penalties will be replaced... Porto still looks strong.
On the other hand.. I just posted about yesterdays 2 -1 - 7 formation and how bad it was and now they sold the 1 in midfield.. like the others stated.. Matic is the only PT player that JJ has that plays box to box.. and he isn't a DM.
Sure we have Vitor, Almeida, Gomes, and others.. but they fail the customs passport check at the door.. they are Portuguese.. which means only B Team positions.
Benfica is screwed more than Porto with this sale, both to Zenit which really disagrees with the fans because they wanted the players to move on to bigger and better not same level for a bigger pay cheque and that Paulo is your answer to the Hulk question.
MO MONEY MO MONEY MO MONEY..
losing falcao and hulk in back to back seasons absolutely sucks
Benfica, on the other hand, makes one stupid sale after the other. I know that Javi Garcia wasn't perfect, but he was the only true defensive midfielder on the squad. Matic can play there, but he's more of a #8 than a trinco. Now, if Witsel, is sold, we'll lose our most talented player, and our only box-to-box midfielders.
Saying that Benfica is top heavy is an understatement: Cardozo, Rodrigo, Lima, and Kardec as strikers.
Salvio, Nolito, Bruno Cesar, Pablo Aimar, Carlos Martins, Enzo Perez, Ola John, and Nico Gaitan as attacking midfielders/wingers...
If Wistel leaves, than Matic will be the only holding midfielder on the entire squad! Axel Witsel was the missing link after the sale of Ramires. Now, we don't that vital piece of a 3 man midfield.
The only thing we can do is bring Andre Almeida and Andre Gomes up from the B team. Almeida is a decent holding midfielder, but he isn't even close to Witsel in terms of technical ability.
Gomes is better technically, but he's only 19 years old. He's got a ton of potential, but I really don't think he's ready to play the likes of Barcelona in the champions league..