While many look back at the season in terms of games won or lost, I’m using this opportunity to look at the progress of players. Individual games are important, no doubt, such as both Porto games, Braga, Pacos, Sporting, etc. Yet looking at the season for me, means looking at this team not only as a whole but also at players singularly to realize their contribution and for some, their improvement over the course of the past eleven months. Some have been solid rocks while others have wavered over whether or not they should be bench warmers or potentially even sold in January. Whatever their situation, this is a post that will look at them case by case and to give performance ratings for each. This will also not include all players, as many did not play enough for me to really given an evaluation, so it is the usual starting eleven with a few others added in.
Warning: This is super long. I really do apologize for that.
Warning: This is super long. I really do apologize for that.
Goalkeepers:
1. Artur 4.5/5
I will maybe be more generous than others, I’m not sure, but I think as we close on the season it is becoming more and more evident that Artur will most likely be sold over the summer. Most of us will not be surprised by this but it comes with a sense of sadness, at least for myself. Artur, despite the ‘frangos’ he has committed at times and despite not being first choice keeper, he has been nothing but a humble and loyal servant. He could have easily asked to be sold over the summer. He could have easily pitched a fit over not being first choice, both behind Oblak and JC but he didn’t. He always went out to fight for his spot, to work hard, and to also be at times, a motivator and a sideline coach. We saw that during the game against Guimaraes. He was the one trying to motivate the fans and to also give guidance to the players while standing next to JJ. Often times these days it is hard to find a player who, while knowing he is second best, is so willing to not only stay but to also be supportive of the team in every single way and to also be as loyal as he had been. I’m going to miss Artur if and when he goes and I think looking back on his time at Benfica, he has always done what has been asked of him and at times he was the reason why the team pulled off a win. So for this, it is a thank you and a potential goodbye.
2. Julio Cesar 5/5
When JC signed for Benfica, there were a lot of comments asking why. Why would Benfica take on a player that had not really played that much competitive football, that suffered such an awful defeat against Germany, and who was also far older than our last starting keeper, Oblak. Why in a sense, would Benfica regress themselves. Yet I think for a number of fans, JC would have to be in the top five best players for Benfica this year. His clean sheet record, his confidence on the ball, and his overwhelming love for this team has shown he is still far capable of performing at the highest level. I cannot even count the times that he made amazing saves, often to deny the other team a chance to go ahead. He has been an absolute rock in goal and I have the utmost confidence in his abilities. I can only hope that he continues with Benfica for the rest of his career. He not only deserves a great send off for his personal career, with everything he has done with both Flamengo and Inter, but to even stay at Benfica for another year or two and to play as well as he has this year, he would be extremely deserving of a proper send off from the Benfica fans.
3. Paulo Lopes 4/5
Obviously this is a player that is hard to give a rating to, considering his few chances to play, but I gave him a 4 out of 5 simply for his obvious love of Benfica, defined by how emotional he was during our final game. I’m happy that he was able to win two very important and historic titles and I wish him nothing but the absolute best, whatever path his career takes.
Defense:
4. Maxi Pereira 5/5
This is an obvious one for myself and for many others I’m sure. Maxi is brilliant. There is no other way to describe him, except maybe loyal. He’s been at Benfica since 2007 and except for Defensor, it is the only team he has known which is often rare in today’s football. We are all uncertain over his future with the club and everyone is hoping he will renew, even if just for a year or two, to give us all a little more hope. With Maxi playing, we all feel a little safer on the right hand side. Sure sometimes we worry because it’s Maxi and he’s bound to make a stupid tackle here or there to get a yellow, but we all know he does it while giving nothing less than 100%. When Maxi doesn’t play, it often times shows. Like many fans, if he leaves I know it will be almost impossible to replace him. There are many great defenders but none quite like Maxi.
5. Jardel 4.5/5
For myself, I will be the first to admit I have been extremely critical of Jardel at times. Losing Garay was a punch to the gut and I was nervous about Jardel being at the back full time, unsure of what kind of performance we would get from him. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been surprised by how incredibly well he has done. Do I think he will always be full time? I’m not sure, especially with how Licha Lopez did (more on him) but looking just at Jardel and let’s be honest, that goal against Sporting, he really does earn a great rating. I even remember tweeting after he had scored against Sporting, that I promised to never say a bad word about Jardel which I will completely honor. I’m sure some of this is rose colored tinted glasses and perhaps his rating could be a bit lower BUT I think we all started to feel secure with him at the back, now whether that was solely his improvement or being paired with Luisao, it is hard to tell at times. Like many of the ratings here, I’m being generous as this post is on the heels of a bicampeao and thus I’m not going to be too critical. I think the big question for Jardel is, will he be just as good next year especially if Luisao leaves like many think he might. Can he command the back line like Luisao does and sort of hold his own? It’s not something we can answer, but something we can think about.
6. Luisao 5/5
I think this is another obvious choice, I don’t many of my fellow Benfiquistas would give Luisao less than a 5, probably would give him more if they could. I really don’t know what to say about this season other then he was and is incredible. There was always this ongoing joke between friends, a few years back about how Luisao was slow and almost like a tree, didn’t move. Yet somehow, he became this figure that completely dominates not only the defense but dominates the entire field. How many times have we seen that iconic bald head up there, waiting for another goal. He’s an exemplary captan and this season proved to us all he has still got it. I’ve lauded tons of praise for his tackle/save during Guimaraes, around the 80th minute or so and I keep bringing it up because you see in that moment after, all the passion and love he has for Benfica and how hard he truly works day in and day out. You see it with the other players, how much respect they have for him. And I think that in itself speaks volumes. He not only deserves this bicampeao, but he deserves so many more titles. If he leaves, which we all hope he doesn’t, he will forever be cemented in our minds with his performances over the past two seasons. Years down the road we will speak of him much in the way our older Benfiquistas speak of those players from the 70s and 80s. For me, if anyone needs a guide on how to be a great defender at Benfica, they need to look no farther than Luisao.
7. Lisandro Lopez 3.5 (4) /5
It’s hard to really give him anything more or less I suppose, simply for the fact that he really hasn’t been given the opportunities since both Luisao and Jardel have been extremely solid. The times that he has played I think he’s done fantastic and is very much deserving of a starting place. There has been talk of him leaving but I think he will definitely stay and probably either be a starter in Luisao’s absence or perhaps if he performs well enough in pre-season to snag Jardel’s spot, which may be unlikely but not completely out of the question. He should probably get a 4 but again, a 3.5 is sort of there just because it is difficult to really get a feel for this player and I think for many of us, we hope to see much, much more of him next year.
8. Eliseu 3.5/5
This rating is one I had to think on, whether or not he could get a 4 from me or not but in the end, I went with a 3.5. When looking at his performances, he has the ability to be good. Going forward on the ball, there is no doubt he is talented and we really have to give him a 5/5 for his goals against Boavista to win the match and also Moreirense to put the team ahead. Both of those moments alone made I think nearly every Benfiquista like him all that much more but in the end, we can’t overlook that he was also not the best at times. He was sloppy and he definitely made costly mistakes (Pacos anyone?) yet I still can’t be that hard on him because like a lot of players here, I think he still worked hard and with that working hard I myself cannot berate him for his ability to sometimes look as if he’s never played defense before. I don’t know if he will be first choice next year, if Benfica does keep Silvio and plays him instead or even Benito, whatever the outcome I think Eliseu deserves credit for being very influential at times.
Midfield:
9. Andre Almeida 4/5
Andrea Almeida is a case where he always does what he is asked, but never is quite a starter. What is great about him is that he’s flexible, so he can either fill in for Maxi or play in the midfield and being only 24, he has time to really adjust to where JJ needs him the most. I don’t know if he will have a more permanent spot next year or if he will be our usual sub but I think that for all the work he has done, doing anything and everything JJ has asked, he absolutely deserves a 4 and I can’t really find a fault for him, at least not having really had the opportunity to see him play week in and week out. I’m hopeful that perhaps he will be able to find a spot to play and to cement it as his own.
10. Fejsa 3.5/5
This is another, ‘I don’t really know what to give because he hardly played’ players. I know for myself it was a huge disappointment and a loss to have him be injured for an entire year, especially as the summer came and went and so did half our team. I think we all wanted him back, to not only have that extra person but to also really see what he is capable of. It just really happened to be utter luck that he scored on his comeback, which I think was a fantastic and fitting tribute to him. Since he’s been back from injury he’s been able to play a couple more times, mostly when Samaris couldn’t play and I think that his performance cannot fairly be judged especially when he was out for so long. I think to give him a truly fair rating we have to see him play for an entire campaign. So with that I give him a 3.5 as a sort of middle ground for being able to do as well as he could, with the limited playing time.
11. Ruben Amorim 4/5
For Ruben, I had to give him a 4, which I think can still be higher for who he is as a person for Benfica. Getting injured against Boavista for horrible for him and horrible for the team who lost a player when they really could not afford to lose anymore. There was a time when he had issues with JJ and was sent on loan to Braga a few years back and while I think he had a valid point, he was always sort of behind other players like Matic, Javi Garcia, etc who were at times, far better than he was. It isn’t to say he’s a bad player, but I think JJ often goes with who he believes is playing the best, Portuguese or not. WIth that being said, it was really a setback to be injured again as I think had he been healthy he would have likely played a lot more and might have had a starting spot. I’m curious to see whether or not he will stay or if perhaps he will be sold, it is a case that could be up in the air. Whatever the case we have to remember his hilarious on and off the field antics which make him a great player to have around.
12. Samaris 4/5
Samaris has been an interesting case for Benfica this year. He was a highly publicized and expensive move on Benfica’s part, as they often do not spend that sort of cash on a single player. So he came with a lot of high hopes, also choosing Cardozo’s number which was another big shoe to fill. At first it didn’t seem like he was going to work out, not that he didn’t work hard but he looked lost in the beginning. Losing the ball when he shouldn’t, misplacing passes that went wide, and just generally not quite fitting. It was frustrating mostly because you could see he had talent and it wasn’t coming through. Yet….January came and it was like he had become a different player. He was making passes, winning the ball, and just generally being the overall commander in midfield. I think we all wondered if this was really Samaris or not and I wonder if having a better grasp on the language or if having more time to adjust helped. Whatever it was, we all now see how he was worth the price and could easily sell for double that, though fingers crossed he does not leave. I’m maybe more biased as I really do think he is just a fantastic player and can only keep improving from here. I’m excited to see what he is capable of next year. I also have to give him such a high rating for his love of Benfica, which you can clearly see and how overwhelmed he was, even crying during the festa. Not only do I give him the rating I do, I also give him by far the most improved player for this season. So for all of those reasons, I give him a 4 out of 5.
13. Pizzi 3.5/5
For Pizzi, I’m not sure if I would give him a higher rating or not, simply because he really did not play much before January, as he was behind the pecking order. I give him a lot of credit that he came in when Benfica needed him and stepped up to the plate, even if he didn’t always have the best of games. He scored two goals, which if you watch them are nearly identical to each other. I think that is something he should perfect, scoring from that area and be able to use it to his advantage. For myself, it’s hard to see if he will be the starter next year or if Benfica will find someone who is going to be perhaps a better fit. I think in some ways it is unfair that we only really saw a second half from him and not a full year, yet I think we see he definitely has areas in which to improve. One of his best assets is his assisting, something that has been so perfect and so clean at times I can see why JJ wanted him and why he has stuck with him. If he can work on the areas he’s not so good at, I don’t see why he couldn’t find a spot in the starting eleven. So for all of the reasons above, he gets a 3.5 from me, almost bordering on a 4.
14. Gaitan 5/5
Easily, another 5 out of 5 player for me. He’s just an absolute gem of a player and I don’t think anyone is going to disagree. I think what is significant about Nico is that when he isn’t playing, you can feel it. It’s not to say the other players are less but it’s that Nico’s presence brings so much to the table. He’s quick and he’s talented, without being flashy. Him not playing at times, is definitely the reason why we either lost or drew games, or if we won them, we played not as well. It’s frustrating because there is definitely not replacement for him on this team and to be honest, I’m not sure Benfica could find a replacement for the cost we got him. To find a player like Nico, we’d have to drop more cash than we’d ever think of doing. Nico, like Salvio, has the ability to be so good, it almost makes me cry at times. His passing and crosses can be so inch perfect, so on the mark that it is no wonder so many teams are chasing him. If you compare him other current players that play his same role, I definitely think that at times, he’s better than some of them who play for far “bigger” clubs and in that sense, Benfica are incredibly lucky that they have been able to hold onto him for as long as they have. I’m holding out hope that somehow, someway he stays with Benfica, even if we all know he won’t. I just am glad he could potentially be going out on such a high note.
15. Salvio 5/5
Again, I think it is hard to give a player like Salvio anything less. He’s be a tremendous servant and a fantastic player. When Atletico let him go so easily almost, I wondered why and I think they lost out on a gem of a player. Much like Nico, Salvio’s talent is unmatched by a lot of players in this world. He’s skillful as well, without having to put flash or bling on it to make it more. He has the skills that he can break a defender's ankle, all the while making sure that it isn’t wasted and instead finds the head or feet of a fellow player (and in some cases, the back of the net). I’m not really good at laying out tactics or talking them, that’s for my fellow Benfiquistas so it is hard to describe players without going too deep into them. I just know that he’s a bloody great player and probably one that many in the footballing world believe should be at a United/PSG/Atleti/etc type of club but I think he, like all of the players, take winning with Benfica over the name’s of other teams simply because he gets it. He gets the love and he gets what it means to be a Benfiquista and that to me, means more than a lot of other things in this world. So I don’t know if he will leave or stay and I can only hope that he will be back next season, doing what he does best.
16. Ola John 3/5
I’m not sure if my rating is too low, but I feel like Ola John is one of those players that could have been so much more and just wasn’t. It isn’t to say he’s a bad player, I just don’t think he’s for Benfica, which is a shame. I know he’s been on loan and has always been in the shadows of others, but even when injury struck starters, he never quite had the moment that made us all go “ah” and see why he should potentially fight for his place. I think that he isn’t going to be able to fill the role of Salvio, to be able to do what he does every single game. Like a lot of fellow fans, he was great off the bench and could easily provide the team with 15 minutes of really great play but a whole game is not something he is capable of, and I think in that sense he definitely is not good enough. Samaris has been at the club for a year, didn’t quite work out in the first half and was able to come through and has now been an undisputed starter. Even if he has been behind Salvio, he should be at a different level. Who knows, maybe he will be able to be better but I also think that at 23, he should be able to be at a consistent level and he’s just not. I’ll be sad to see him go, simply because I think he could have done so much better and just didn’t.
17. Talisca 3.5/5
Talisca has been discussed by so many over whether or not his goals were a sort of fluke or if he is really that good. I think it’s hard to see, I think he was put in a spot when we needed him and he delivered. Perhaps it was that he was fired up and ready to go, felt like he had to prove himself and went out guns blazing. And perhaps no longer being a starter once Jonas arrived meant his confidence wasn’t there. Whatever the reason it was a shame to see him not keep up with his goals all season. There were times when Benfica could have desperately used him and needed his goals and they weren’t there. I know he’s younger, he by far has a long career ahead of him and I can’t really fault him completely. I think that he will be much better next year, will hopefully be able to find that goalscoring ability again. I think he has that talent, I’m not sure exactly what happened that this season did not end the way it started but whatever it was, I can only hope JJ will be sure to give him the lessons he needs so he will not become another Benfica flop.
Forwards:
18. Lima 4/5
Lima has been a fantastic player to have over the last few years and while perhaps at times he did not always score when he should have (the crossbar man, it’s the enemy) he is another player who’s work rate is outstanding. Watching him this season, I don’t think there was ever really a time when he didn’t stop giving his all. He may not have always scored and missed goals we all could have scored blind, but the fact of the matter is, he’s a player Benfica absolutely need on their side. His link up with so many players at the club shows he’s a player that can adapt and can easily fit into the role that’s needed. With him and Jonas upfront, we almost never had to worry about the goals, we mostly knew they would happen. He along with Jonas, should both have the joint trophy and it is a shame they don’t, as every stat of them shows how their partnership is one of the best Benfica has ever had and I think he should stay at Benfica forever, so long as he puts in the effort and continues to always score, I don’t see why he should not play and even if that means someday he is a bench player, coming on in the second half, he most likely will always have an impact and that’s all that matters.
19. Jonas 5/5
For me, one of the best players this season. A lot of us had no idea what to expect from him and like all players we have high hopes. Jonas has met and surpassed those expectations. It was as if he started and never stopped scoring. His goals were and are a thing of beauty, and I think he rightfully knocked Talisca out of his spot. When you watch Jonas, you are suddenly reminded he was free. FREE. It is so rare to get a player on a free transfer that works out so well and can be such an influence. I pity Valencia, for letting go of a player like that and getting no money, as Benfica really did rob them blind (which they deserve). Honestly if Jonas plays the way he did this season, for as long as he is at Benfca, I don’t think we as fans have much to worry about up front. He and Lima, despite (or because of) their age are two players that should always be in the squad and most likely will be. Jonas easily already is up there with other greats which I knew, it is only one season but sometimes that is all it takes. It is a shame the Liga robbed him of his trophy, which he was so deserving of, but I think at the end of the day his contributions allowed Benfica to win the Liga and that’s really what matters most.
So that’s not the whole list, but those are the players I felt should be highlighted the most. For the rest of the players, such as Sulejmani, Jonathan Rodriguez, Benito, Cristante, Silvio, Cesar, Derley and Goncalo Guedes, it is hard to really give them a proper rating as most of them did not get adequate playing time. We all know JRod has been immense for Benfica B and I think we all cannot wait to see him in the first team, which will hopefully be next season. Guedes is another player that is great and maybe we will see in the first team, perhaps on loan depending on what JJ believes is best. The others I’m not sure if they will stay or go, it is hard to tell at this point. I think it depends again on what JJ wants and needs, especially going for the tri and for a good CL run. Improvements are needed and whether or not he can get them from the players themselves will be something to see over the summer. Hopefully this post has done the job and is on the mark. Let me know what you all think, if the ratings should be different or not. Thank you for reading!
1. Artur 4.5/5
I will maybe be more generous than others, I’m not sure, but I think as we close on the season it is becoming more and more evident that Artur will most likely be sold over the summer. Most of us will not be surprised by this but it comes with a sense of sadness, at least for myself. Artur, despite the ‘frangos’ he has committed at times and despite not being first choice keeper, he has been nothing but a humble and loyal servant. He could have easily asked to be sold over the summer. He could have easily pitched a fit over not being first choice, both behind Oblak and JC but he didn’t. He always went out to fight for his spot, to work hard, and to also be at times, a motivator and a sideline coach. We saw that during the game against Guimaraes. He was the one trying to motivate the fans and to also give guidance to the players while standing next to JJ. Often times these days it is hard to find a player who, while knowing he is second best, is so willing to not only stay but to also be supportive of the team in every single way and to also be as loyal as he had been. I’m going to miss Artur if and when he goes and I think looking back on his time at Benfica, he has always done what has been asked of him and at times he was the reason why the team pulled off a win. So for this, it is a thank you and a potential goodbye.
2. Julio Cesar 5/5
When JC signed for Benfica, there were a lot of comments asking why. Why would Benfica take on a player that had not really played that much competitive football, that suffered such an awful defeat against Germany, and who was also far older than our last starting keeper, Oblak. Why in a sense, would Benfica regress themselves. Yet I think for a number of fans, JC would have to be in the top five best players for Benfica this year. His clean sheet record, his confidence on the ball, and his overwhelming love for this team has shown he is still far capable of performing at the highest level. I cannot even count the times that he made amazing saves, often to deny the other team a chance to go ahead. He has been an absolute rock in goal and I have the utmost confidence in his abilities. I can only hope that he continues with Benfica for the rest of his career. He not only deserves a great send off for his personal career, with everything he has done with both Flamengo and Inter, but to even stay at Benfica for another year or two and to play as well as he has this year, he would be extremely deserving of a proper send off from the Benfica fans.
3. Paulo Lopes 4/5
Obviously this is a player that is hard to give a rating to, considering his few chances to play, but I gave him a 4 out of 5 simply for his obvious love of Benfica, defined by how emotional he was during our final game. I’m happy that he was able to win two very important and historic titles and I wish him nothing but the absolute best, whatever path his career takes.
Defense:
4. Maxi Pereira 5/5
This is an obvious one for myself and for many others I’m sure. Maxi is brilliant. There is no other way to describe him, except maybe loyal. He’s been at Benfica since 2007 and except for Defensor, it is the only team he has known which is often rare in today’s football. We are all uncertain over his future with the club and everyone is hoping he will renew, even if just for a year or two, to give us all a little more hope. With Maxi playing, we all feel a little safer on the right hand side. Sure sometimes we worry because it’s Maxi and he’s bound to make a stupid tackle here or there to get a yellow, but we all know he does it while giving nothing less than 100%. When Maxi doesn’t play, it often times shows. Like many fans, if he leaves I know it will be almost impossible to replace him. There are many great defenders but none quite like Maxi.
5. Jardel 4.5/5
For myself, I will be the first to admit I have been extremely critical of Jardel at times. Losing Garay was a punch to the gut and I was nervous about Jardel being at the back full time, unsure of what kind of performance we would get from him. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been surprised by how incredibly well he has done. Do I think he will always be full time? I’m not sure, especially with how Licha Lopez did (more on him) but looking just at Jardel and let’s be honest, that goal against Sporting, he really does earn a great rating. I even remember tweeting after he had scored against Sporting, that I promised to never say a bad word about Jardel which I will completely honor. I’m sure some of this is rose colored tinted glasses and perhaps his rating could be a bit lower BUT I think we all started to feel secure with him at the back, now whether that was solely his improvement or being paired with Luisao, it is hard to tell at times. Like many of the ratings here, I’m being generous as this post is on the heels of a bicampeao and thus I’m not going to be too critical. I think the big question for Jardel is, will he be just as good next year especially if Luisao leaves like many think he might. Can he command the back line like Luisao does and sort of hold his own? It’s not something we can answer, but something we can think about.
6. Luisao 5/5
I think this is another obvious choice, I don’t many of my fellow Benfiquistas would give Luisao less than a 5, probably would give him more if they could. I really don’t know what to say about this season other then he was and is incredible. There was always this ongoing joke between friends, a few years back about how Luisao was slow and almost like a tree, didn’t move. Yet somehow, he became this figure that completely dominates not only the defense but dominates the entire field. How many times have we seen that iconic bald head up there, waiting for another goal. He’s an exemplary captan and this season proved to us all he has still got it. I’ve lauded tons of praise for his tackle/save during Guimaraes, around the 80th minute or so and I keep bringing it up because you see in that moment after, all the passion and love he has for Benfica and how hard he truly works day in and day out. You see it with the other players, how much respect they have for him. And I think that in itself speaks volumes. He not only deserves this bicampeao, but he deserves so many more titles. If he leaves, which we all hope he doesn’t, he will forever be cemented in our minds with his performances over the past two seasons. Years down the road we will speak of him much in the way our older Benfiquistas speak of those players from the 70s and 80s. For me, if anyone needs a guide on how to be a great defender at Benfica, they need to look no farther than Luisao.
7. Lisandro Lopez 3.5 (4) /5
It’s hard to really give him anything more or less I suppose, simply for the fact that he really hasn’t been given the opportunities since both Luisao and Jardel have been extremely solid. The times that he has played I think he’s done fantastic and is very much deserving of a starting place. There has been talk of him leaving but I think he will definitely stay and probably either be a starter in Luisao’s absence or perhaps if he performs well enough in pre-season to snag Jardel’s spot, which may be unlikely but not completely out of the question. He should probably get a 4 but again, a 3.5 is sort of there just because it is difficult to really get a feel for this player and I think for many of us, we hope to see much, much more of him next year.
8. Eliseu 3.5/5
This rating is one I had to think on, whether or not he could get a 4 from me or not but in the end, I went with a 3.5. When looking at his performances, he has the ability to be good. Going forward on the ball, there is no doubt he is talented and we really have to give him a 5/5 for his goals against Boavista to win the match and also Moreirense to put the team ahead. Both of those moments alone made I think nearly every Benfiquista like him all that much more but in the end, we can’t overlook that he was also not the best at times. He was sloppy and he definitely made costly mistakes (Pacos anyone?) yet I still can’t be that hard on him because like a lot of players here, I think he still worked hard and with that working hard I myself cannot berate him for his ability to sometimes look as if he’s never played defense before. I don’t know if he will be first choice next year, if Benfica does keep Silvio and plays him instead or even Benito, whatever the outcome I think Eliseu deserves credit for being very influential at times.
Midfield:
9. Andre Almeida 4/5
Andrea Almeida is a case where he always does what he is asked, but never is quite a starter. What is great about him is that he’s flexible, so he can either fill in for Maxi or play in the midfield and being only 24, he has time to really adjust to where JJ needs him the most. I don’t know if he will have a more permanent spot next year or if he will be our usual sub but I think that for all the work he has done, doing anything and everything JJ has asked, he absolutely deserves a 4 and I can’t really find a fault for him, at least not having really had the opportunity to see him play week in and week out. I’m hopeful that perhaps he will be able to find a spot to play and to cement it as his own.
10. Fejsa 3.5/5
This is another, ‘I don’t really know what to give because he hardly played’ players. I know for myself it was a huge disappointment and a loss to have him be injured for an entire year, especially as the summer came and went and so did half our team. I think we all wanted him back, to not only have that extra person but to also really see what he is capable of. It just really happened to be utter luck that he scored on his comeback, which I think was a fantastic and fitting tribute to him. Since he’s been back from injury he’s been able to play a couple more times, mostly when Samaris couldn’t play and I think that his performance cannot fairly be judged especially when he was out for so long. I think to give him a truly fair rating we have to see him play for an entire campaign. So with that I give him a 3.5 as a sort of middle ground for being able to do as well as he could, with the limited playing time.
11. Ruben Amorim 4/5
For Ruben, I had to give him a 4, which I think can still be higher for who he is as a person for Benfica. Getting injured against Boavista for horrible for him and horrible for the team who lost a player when they really could not afford to lose anymore. There was a time when he had issues with JJ and was sent on loan to Braga a few years back and while I think he had a valid point, he was always sort of behind other players like Matic, Javi Garcia, etc who were at times, far better than he was. It isn’t to say he’s a bad player, but I think JJ often goes with who he believes is playing the best, Portuguese or not. WIth that being said, it was really a setback to be injured again as I think had he been healthy he would have likely played a lot more and might have had a starting spot. I’m curious to see whether or not he will stay or if perhaps he will be sold, it is a case that could be up in the air. Whatever the case we have to remember his hilarious on and off the field antics which make him a great player to have around.
12. Samaris 4/5
Samaris has been an interesting case for Benfica this year. He was a highly publicized and expensive move on Benfica’s part, as they often do not spend that sort of cash on a single player. So he came with a lot of high hopes, also choosing Cardozo’s number which was another big shoe to fill. At first it didn’t seem like he was going to work out, not that he didn’t work hard but he looked lost in the beginning. Losing the ball when he shouldn’t, misplacing passes that went wide, and just generally not quite fitting. It was frustrating mostly because you could see he had talent and it wasn’t coming through. Yet….January came and it was like he had become a different player. He was making passes, winning the ball, and just generally being the overall commander in midfield. I think we all wondered if this was really Samaris or not and I wonder if having a better grasp on the language or if having more time to adjust helped. Whatever it was, we all now see how he was worth the price and could easily sell for double that, though fingers crossed he does not leave. I’m maybe more biased as I really do think he is just a fantastic player and can only keep improving from here. I’m excited to see what he is capable of next year. I also have to give him such a high rating for his love of Benfica, which you can clearly see and how overwhelmed he was, even crying during the festa. Not only do I give him the rating I do, I also give him by far the most improved player for this season. So for all of those reasons, I give him a 4 out of 5.
13. Pizzi 3.5/5
For Pizzi, I’m not sure if I would give him a higher rating or not, simply because he really did not play much before January, as he was behind the pecking order. I give him a lot of credit that he came in when Benfica needed him and stepped up to the plate, even if he didn’t always have the best of games. He scored two goals, which if you watch them are nearly identical to each other. I think that is something he should perfect, scoring from that area and be able to use it to his advantage. For myself, it’s hard to see if he will be the starter next year or if Benfica will find someone who is going to be perhaps a better fit. I think in some ways it is unfair that we only really saw a second half from him and not a full year, yet I think we see he definitely has areas in which to improve. One of his best assets is his assisting, something that has been so perfect and so clean at times I can see why JJ wanted him and why he has stuck with him. If he can work on the areas he’s not so good at, I don’t see why he couldn’t find a spot in the starting eleven. So for all of the reasons above, he gets a 3.5 from me, almost bordering on a 4.
14. Gaitan 5/5
Easily, another 5 out of 5 player for me. He’s just an absolute gem of a player and I don’t think anyone is going to disagree. I think what is significant about Nico is that when he isn’t playing, you can feel it. It’s not to say the other players are less but it’s that Nico’s presence brings so much to the table. He’s quick and he’s talented, without being flashy. Him not playing at times, is definitely the reason why we either lost or drew games, or if we won them, we played not as well. It’s frustrating because there is definitely not replacement for him on this team and to be honest, I’m not sure Benfica could find a replacement for the cost we got him. To find a player like Nico, we’d have to drop more cash than we’d ever think of doing. Nico, like Salvio, has the ability to be so good, it almost makes me cry at times. His passing and crosses can be so inch perfect, so on the mark that it is no wonder so many teams are chasing him. If you compare him other current players that play his same role, I definitely think that at times, he’s better than some of them who play for far “bigger” clubs and in that sense, Benfica are incredibly lucky that they have been able to hold onto him for as long as they have. I’m holding out hope that somehow, someway he stays with Benfica, even if we all know he won’t. I just am glad he could potentially be going out on such a high note.
15. Salvio 5/5
Again, I think it is hard to give a player like Salvio anything less. He’s be a tremendous servant and a fantastic player. When Atletico let him go so easily almost, I wondered why and I think they lost out on a gem of a player. Much like Nico, Salvio’s talent is unmatched by a lot of players in this world. He’s skillful as well, without having to put flash or bling on it to make it more. He has the skills that he can break a defender's ankle, all the while making sure that it isn’t wasted and instead finds the head or feet of a fellow player (and in some cases, the back of the net). I’m not really good at laying out tactics or talking them, that’s for my fellow Benfiquistas so it is hard to describe players without going too deep into them. I just know that he’s a bloody great player and probably one that many in the footballing world believe should be at a United/PSG/Atleti/etc type of club but I think he, like all of the players, take winning with Benfica over the name’s of other teams simply because he gets it. He gets the love and he gets what it means to be a Benfiquista and that to me, means more than a lot of other things in this world. So I don’t know if he will leave or stay and I can only hope that he will be back next season, doing what he does best.
16. Ola John 3/5
I’m not sure if my rating is too low, but I feel like Ola John is one of those players that could have been so much more and just wasn’t. It isn’t to say he’s a bad player, I just don’t think he’s for Benfica, which is a shame. I know he’s been on loan and has always been in the shadows of others, but even when injury struck starters, he never quite had the moment that made us all go “ah” and see why he should potentially fight for his place. I think that he isn’t going to be able to fill the role of Salvio, to be able to do what he does every single game. Like a lot of fellow fans, he was great off the bench and could easily provide the team with 15 minutes of really great play but a whole game is not something he is capable of, and I think in that sense he definitely is not good enough. Samaris has been at the club for a year, didn’t quite work out in the first half and was able to come through and has now been an undisputed starter. Even if he has been behind Salvio, he should be at a different level. Who knows, maybe he will be able to be better but I also think that at 23, he should be able to be at a consistent level and he’s just not. I’ll be sad to see him go, simply because I think he could have done so much better and just didn’t.
17. Talisca 3.5/5
Talisca has been discussed by so many over whether or not his goals were a sort of fluke or if he is really that good. I think it’s hard to see, I think he was put in a spot when we needed him and he delivered. Perhaps it was that he was fired up and ready to go, felt like he had to prove himself and went out guns blazing. And perhaps no longer being a starter once Jonas arrived meant his confidence wasn’t there. Whatever the reason it was a shame to see him not keep up with his goals all season. There were times when Benfica could have desperately used him and needed his goals and they weren’t there. I know he’s younger, he by far has a long career ahead of him and I can’t really fault him completely. I think that he will be much better next year, will hopefully be able to find that goalscoring ability again. I think he has that talent, I’m not sure exactly what happened that this season did not end the way it started but whatever it was, I can only hope JJ will be sure to give him the lessons he needs so he will not become another Benfica flop.
Forwards:
18. Lima 4/5
Lima has been a fantastic player to have over the last few years and while perhaps at times he did not always score when he should have (the crossbar man, it’s the enemy) he is another player who’s work rate is outstanding. Watching him this season, I don’t think there was ever really a time when he didn’t stop giving his all. He may not have always scored and missed goals we all could have scored blind, but the fact of the matter is, he’s a player Benfica absolutely need on their side. His link up with so many players at the club shows he’s a player that can adapt and can easily fit into the role that’s needed. With him and Jonas upfront, we almost never had to worry about the goals, we mostly knew they would happen. He along with Jonas, should both have the joint trophy and it is a shame they don’t, as every stat of them shows how their partnership is one of the best Benfica has ever had and I think he should stay at Benfica forever, so long as he puts in the effort and continues to always score, I don’t see why he should not play and even if that means someday he is a bench player, coming on in the second half, he most likely will always have an impact and that’s all that matters.
19. Jonas 5/5
For me, one of the best players this season. A lot of us had no idea what to expect from him and like all players we have high hopes. Jonas has met and surpassed those expectations. It was as if he started and never stopped scoring. His goals were and are a thing of beauty, and I think he rightfully knocked Talisca out of his spot. When you watch Jonas, you are suddenly reminded he was free. FREE. It is so rare to get a player on a free transfer that works out so well and can be such an influence. I pity Valencia, for letting go of a player like that and getting no money, as Benfica really did rob them blind (which they deserve). Honestly if Jonas plays the way he did this season, for as long as he is at Benfca, I don’t think we as fans have much to worry about up front. He and Lima, despite (or because of) their age are two players that should always be in the squad and most likely will be. Jonas easily already is up there with other greats which I knew, it is only one season but sometimes that is all it takes. It is a shame the Liga robbed him of his trophy, which he was so deserving of, but I think at the end of the day his contributions allowed Benfica to win the Liga and that’s really what matters most.
So that’s not the whole list, but those are the players I felt should be highlighted the most. For the rest of the players, such as Sulejmani, Jonathan Rodriguez, Benito, Cristante, Silvio, Cesar, Derley and Goncalo Guedes, it is hard to really give them a proper rating as most of them did not get adequate playing time. We all know JRod has been immense for Benfica B and I think we all cannot wait to see him in the first team, which will hopefully be next season. Guedes is another player that is great and maybe we will see in the first team, perhaps on loan depending on what JJ believes is best. The others I’m not sure if they will stay or go, it is hard to tell at this point. I think it depends again on what JJ wants and needs, especially going for the tri and for a good CL run. Improvements are needed and whether or not he can get them from the players themselves will be something to see over the summer. Hopefully this post has done the job and is on the mark. Let me know what you all think, if the ratings should be different or not. Thank you for reading!